Spaghetti Bolognese

270 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Dice the carrots and zucchini for blending.
  2. 2Dice the carrots and zucchini for blending.
  3. 3Dice the carrots and zucchini for blending.
  4. 4Blend the zucchini, carrots, and canned tomatoes until smooth.
  5. 5Blend the zucchini, carrots, and canned tomatoes until smooth.
  6. 6Blend the zucchini, carrots, and canned tomatoes until smooth.
  7. 7Add butter and olive oil to the pot.
  8. 8Add butter and olive oil to the pot.
  9. 9Add butter and olive oil to the pot.
  10. 10Add chopped onions and garlic to the pot.
  11. 11Add chopped onions and garlic to the pot.
  12. 12Add chopped onions and garlic to the pot.
  13. 13Add oregano, thyme, dried basil, mild chili flakes, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and tomato paste to the pot with the onions and garlic, and stir to brown them together.
  14. 14Add oregano, thyme, dried basil, mild chili flakes, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and tomato paste to the pot with the onions and garlic, and stir to brown them together.
  15. 15Add oregano, thyme, dried basil, mild chili flakes, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and tomato paste to the pot with the onions and garlic, and stir to brown them together.
  16. 16Add beef mince to the pot and brown it until all the water has cooked out.
  17. 17Add beef mince to the pot and brown it until all the water has cooked out.
  18. 18Add beef mince to the pot and brown it until all the water has cooked out.
  19. 19Pour in the blended vegetable and tomato mixture.
  20. 20Pour in the blended vegetable and tomato mixture.
  21. 21Pour in the blended vegetable and tomato mixture.
  22. 22Add two bay leaves, one beef stock cube, and two cloves to the sauce.
  23. 23Add two bay leaves, one beef stock cube, and two cloves to the sauce.
  24. 24Add two bay leaves, one beef stock cube, and two cloves to the sauce.
  25. 25Slow cook the bolognese on high for 4 hours (or 8 hours if time permits).
  26. 26Slow cook the bolognese on high for 4 hours (or 8 hours if time permits).
  27. 27Slow cook the bolognese on high for 4 hours (or 8 hours if time permits).
  28. 28After slow cooking, add a tiny bit of dark chocolate to the bolognese.
  29. 29After slow cooking, add a tiny bit of dark chocolate to the bolognese.
  30. 30After slow cooking, add a tiny bit of dark chocolate to the bolognese.
  31. 31Add a splash of milk to the bolognese and stir until creamy.
  32. 32Add a splash of milk to the bolognese and stir until creamy.
  33. 33Add a splash of milk to the bolognese and stir until creamy.
  34. 34Transfer the bolognese into containers.
  35. 35Transfer the bolognese into containers.
  36. 36Transfer the bolognese into containers.

Ingredients

  • butter
  • butter
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • olive oil
  • olive oil
  • onion
  • onion
  • onion
  • garlic
  • garlic
  • garlic
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 0.5 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp mild chilli flakes
  • 0.5 tsp mild chilli flakes
  • 0.5 tsp mild chilli flakes
  • fennel seeds
  • fennel seeds
  • fennel seeds
  • salt
  • salt
  • salt
  • pepper
  • pepper
  • pepper
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 kilo beef mince
  • 1 kilo beef mince
  • 1 kilo beef mince
  • 3 carrots
  • 3 carrots
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 zucchini
  • 3 tins of tomatoes
  • 3 tins of tomatoes
  • 3 tins of tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 cloves
  • a tiny little bit dark chocolate
  • a tiny little bit dark chocolate
  • a tiny little bit dark chocolate
  • milk
  • milk
  • milk

Equipment

crockpotblenderchopping boardknifewooden spoonwhisk

Tips

  • Blending vegetables ensures a smooth restaurant-style bolognese without visible chunks.
  • Adding tomato paste and seasonings while browning onions and garlic enhances flavors.
  • Browning the beef mince until all water has cooked out leaves just the oil, which is ideal for the sauce.
  • Adding a tiny bit of dark chocolate gives the bolognese more depth of flavor.
  • Milk at the end makes the bolognese creamier and helps soak up leftover oil.
  • Slow-cooking for 8 hours is preferred, but 4 hours on high can also work.