My family loves pasta in all its shapes and sizes, and one of my go-to recipes that everyone always enjoys is spaghetti bolognese. But this version comes with a twist — actually, three of them.
This is my 3 Surprises Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe, and once you try it, you may never go back to the usual way of making it. It’s simple, comforting, and completely kid-approved.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for Kids to Prepare in No Time
Where This Recipe Comes From
This bolognese is inspired by a recipe from Antonio Carluccio’s cookbook, Italian Feast. It’s an older cookbook now, so it can be trickier to find new, but secondhand copies do turn up online from time to time if you enjoy collecting cookbooks like this one.
Once I started making bolognese sauce this way, I never went back to my old method. Here are the three twists that might surprise you:
- There’s no garlic!
- You don’t just use minced beef!
- There’s no red wine!
Stick with me — it’s worth it.
This recipe makes enough for 4-6 people, depending on how hungry everyone is.
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- A knob of butter
- Olive oil
- 500g minced beef
- 500g minced pork
- A glass of white wine
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
- 100ml of tomato passata
- Salt and pepper
- Water
- Spaghetti
- Grated parmesan or pecorino cheese, for serving
A quick tip: I like to use a big cast iron pan for this recipe, as it’s a slow-cooked sauce and seems to cook best in something heavy. If you’re using a lighter pan, just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
How to Make It
The full method for this recipe continues below, exactly as it appears in the current published version of this article on the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use just one type of mince instead of two?
Yes, you can use all beef or all pork if that’s what you have, though the mix of the two is part of what gives this bolognese its deeper flavour and is one of the “surprises” in the recipe.
Do I really not need garlic?
That’s right — this version leaves garlic out entirely. If you love garlic, you can always add a clove, but the original twist here is a sauce that works beautifully without it.
Can I substitute the white wine?
If you’d rather not use wine, you can leave it out and add a little extra stock or water instead. The flavour will be slightly different, but the sauce will still work.
Can I make this ahead or freeze it?
Bolognese sauce like this generally freezes and reheats well, making it a handy one to batch-cook for busy weeknights. Cool it fully before freezing and reheat until piping hot all the way through.
Is this recipe suitable for kids to help with?
Younger children can help measure ingredients or stir once everything is safely in the pan, while chopping and any work near the hob is best left to an adult.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:
- 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for Kids to Prepare in No Time
- Easy Family Dinner Ideas Everyone Will Love
- Quick Midweek Meals for Busy Parents
Save This Recipe for Later
If tonight isn’t bolognese night, no problem — save this page or bookmark it so it’s ready to go the next time you need a reliable family dinner idea.
Want More Recipe Ideas Like This?
Sign up for our newsletter for a weekly dose of easy recipes, family activity ideas, and things to do with the kids — straight to your inbox, no spam, just useful ideas when you need them.
