Spaghetti Bolognese

If you don't know how to cook this is a great place to start. If you have the freezer space, double up the recipe and freeze some portions for later.

Charlotte's score out of 5:

Taste:   Simplicity:  Cost:

Recipe by Charlotte Flanagan

Ingredients

• Pasta (any shape)
• Olive Oil
• One medium onion (red or white, whichever you prefer)
• 500g of Beef Mince
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of tomato puree
• Mushrooms (optional, quantity based on preference)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 beef stock cube
• Seasonings: mixed herbs, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and sugar
• Optional: Worcestershire sauce

Method

1. To start fill up a saucepan with water, add a pinch of salt and set on high heat. Leave this to come to a boil while preparing the mince, this will be used later for the pasta.
2. After the water is set to boil, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan and put on a medium heat.
3. Dice one medium onion, add to the oil and fry until it becomes translucent.
4. Add your minced beef into the pan and fry off until it has turned brown.
5. Add one can of chopped tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of tomato puree to the mince.
6. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic, a beef stock cube and 1 teaspoon of each of the following seasonings: mixed herbs, garlic powder, onion powder and sugar. Add salt and black pepper to your desired taste.
7. Here you can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce, this is optional but adds to the depth of flavour.
8. Mix the contents.
9. Add as many sliced mushrooms as you desire (or none if you don’t like them!).
10. Lower the temperature to low heat, cover with a lid and leave to simmer for at least 15 minutes (while you’re cooking your pasta).
11. The pot of water should now be at a rolling boil, add your desired amount of pasta and boil as per the pasta packet instructions, but it is usually 10-12 minutes.
12. Once your pasta is cooked, remove from the heat and drain.
13. Now you’re ready to serve! Add cheese to the top if desired and enjoy!.

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