Big-Batch Bolognese

Whip up a huge batch of bolognese that's fit to feed a hungry crowd, or freeze half for a speedy midweek meal

• Cooking Time Prep 25 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 12

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  295

• Protein

  34g

• Carbs

  13g

• Fat

  12g

• Saturates

  4g

• Fibre

  4g

• Sugar

  11g

• Salt

  0.87g

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 6 smoked bacon rashers, chopped
• 4 onions, finely chopped
• 3 carrots, finely chopped
• 4 celery sticks, finely chopped
• 8 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp dried mixed herbs
• 2 bay leaves
• 500g mushrooms, sliced
• 1½ kg lean minced beef (or use half beef, half pork mince)
• 6 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
• 6 tbsp tomato purée
• large glass red wine (optional)
• 4 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• parmesan, to serve

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a very large saucepan. Gently cook the bacon, onions, carrots and celery for 20 mins until golden. Add the garlic, herbs, bay and mushrooms, then cook for 2 mins more.
2. Heat a large frying pan until really hot. Crumble in just enough mince to cover the pan, cook until brown, then tip in with the veg. Continue to fry the mince in batches until used up. Tip the tomatoes and purée in with the mince and veg. Rinse the cans out with the red wine, if you have some, or with a little water, then add to the pan with the vinegar and sugar. Season generously and bring to a simmer. Simmer slowly for 1 hr until thick and saucy and the mince is tender. Serve with pasta and Parmesan.

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