Quick n easy bolognese

Bolognese is a quick and easy meal to prepare - you can cook up a big batch and freeze it, serve it with zoodles, sweet potato or even load it up with cheese and pasta for a cheat meal!

Here is what I put in mine;

  • 1kg of LEAN beef mince (the 3 star stuff is full of fat - spend the couple of extra dollars and get the lean stuff!)

  • 2 medium onions

  • As much garlic as the heart desires ( I use 2 tablespoons)

  • 2 table spoons of tomato paste

  • 1 Can of tomatos

  • 1 Punnet of fresh cherry tomatos

  • 2 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp sweet paprika

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1 tsp ground coriander

  • 1 cup of milk

  • Splash of red cooking wine

What to do

  1. Get a big pan (or you can use a pot) on a medium heat.

  2. Add oil, diced onions and garlic and cook until onions are translucent and starting to caramelise.

  3. Wine. Have a gulp, then add some to the pan and cook out for 2 minutes. The wine will enhance the flavours of the dish, just be sure to cook it out for the 2 minutes.

  4. Have a smell and enjoy the beautiful scent.

  5. Add the mince in small handfuls and using a wooden spoon break it all up. 

  6. Massage in the herbs, spices, salt and pepper and cook until it is just brown.

  7. Add the can of tinned tomatoes and the milk, and put on a low heat and let it tick away for a minimum of 20 minutes - and up to an hour, after 20 minutes chuck in the cherry tomatos and let it cook out for a further 15 minutes

  8. Add some fresh basil once it is cooked

*You can add a whole bag of spinach in whilst it’s cooking out, this will wilt down and you can get those extra nutrients in 

Simon McDowell