I think everyone has a family recipe for good old Spaghetti Bolognese.
It's a weekly staple in so many households and why wouldn't it be?
There aren't many people who don't enjoy a steaming hot bowl of it topped with a generous sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan.
While it isn't really a health-conscious person's meal in its traditional style, a few little tweaks can take it from a treat meal to a weekly menu item.
Michelle Bridges has a fabulous low-calorie version in her Crunch Time cookbook (which I'll share at a later late) but while it's a scrumptious alternative it's quite different to the original and the veges aren't well enough hidden for it to pass the kid and man test.
My recipe has passed the man test and I'm sure would succeed as a child-friendly dish.
Just like so many recipes, this one starts with sauteing the onion and garlic together until the onion is transparent.
Add finely chopped or grated carrot and mix through.
They're not in the pic but add the mushrooms now too.
Add the beef mince and mash it up to separate it and get out any lumps.
Keep doing this until it has all browned.
This is what it should look like when it's all browned and broken up.
Now add the tinned tomato, tomato soup and tomato paste and stir it through.
This is the 'secret' ingredient. Sprinkle the seasoning into the pot and mix it through.
Add the sugar and mix through.
Bring the sauce to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until it thickens to your liking.
It usually takes 30 minutes but the longer you let it simmer the more the flavours will develop.
Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Serve over piping hot pasta and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
Freeze any leftover sauce for later.
I always have some Spaghetti Bolognese sauce in the freezer ready for a quick meal.
Enjoy!
Do you have a classic family favourite that you've created a lighter version of?
Recipe
Spaghetti bolognese - lower calorie version
Ingredients
- 500 g 18oz lean beef mince
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 200 button mushrooms finely diced
- 2 large carrots finely diced or grated
- 1 tin crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1 tin tomato soup salt-reduced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Spaghetti Bolognese herb mix
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- salt & pepper
- 35 g 1oz dried pasta per person
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan per person
Instructions
- Saute the onion and garlic in an oiled pan until the onion is transparent. Add the carrot and mushrooms and cook until they begin to soften.
- Mix the beef mince through and break it up with the spoon so there are no chunks.
- When the mince has browned, add the tinned tomato, tomato soup and tomato paste and stir through.
- Add the herb mix an sugar and stir through.
- Bring the sauce to the boil then reduce to a simmer and simmer, uncovered for at least 30 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook pasta according to packet instructions and serve sauce over hot pasta sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
The sauce can be frozen and re-heated.
Notes
Nutrition
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Job Brown says
I'm a man, so your promise that this will pass my test better work.
I have a mate coming round tonight to eat my spag bol, this recipe i used btw to keep our wives happy with the cals :)
Never used tomato soup, never used grated carrots, but it's simmering away now and must admit, tastes pretty nice so far.
Thanks,
Jon
p.s. I do internet marketing, not cooking so you did good here !!
Claire says
Thanks Jon. It works on my man and he's pretty fussy. I'm sure you'll perfect it. Enjoy!
Lucy @ Lucyeats says
How yummy! My boyfriend loves spaghetti bolognese and really enjoyed your recipe. Didn't use the seasoning though, will have to find that tomorrow!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
This looks great! I've never tried using tomato soup in the recipe but it sounds interesting! :D And even though I like carrot and mushroom I like the idea of making it smaller for a thicker texture! :)
celia says
Looks delish, Claire! Sometimes we serve our spag sauce on breadrolls too!
Claire says
Oh yes just like sloppy joes!
Shan says
I made this last night and it passed the man test at my place too!
Claire says
I'm glad he liked it!
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Medifast Coupons says
Great recipe, just what I have been surfing around for, thanks so much. The kids are gonna love this spaghetti.