A firm family favourite, the mighty spaghetti bolognese (or ‘spag bol’) is cooked in kitchens all over the world, loved for its rich, meaty sauce. It’s commonly served over spaghetti, tagliatelle or pappardelle; however, the variations are endless: use it as a base for pies, pasta bakes, lasagne and moussaka.
Our best ever spaghetti bolognese is super easy to make and a true Italian classic.
Bolognese has lots of versions, and there is no definitive recipe; however, a quintessential spag bol features a combination of beef mince, veg, herbs and spices, with spaghetti stirred into the bolognese sauce and served under a blanket of parmesan, with optional crusty bread for mopping up the sauce.
Spaghetti bolognese is a classic for a reason, but the food-curious among us are always looking for new and nifty ways to level up a recipe with unusual ingredients, taking a dish from ordinary to extraordinary. That’s why we asked our audience on social media for the weirdest ingredient they add to their home-cooked bolognese.
It turned out to be a topic which people hold strong views on, with the post gaining 500k views overnight and generating three thousand comments. Here, we list the secret ingredients people use to boost their bolognese.
1. Marmite
Whether you love it or hate it, Marmite was the leading ingredient which came up at the top. Commenters often paired the salty spread with another umami or sweet ingredient, including “Marmite and the parmesan [rind]” from Jane Duncan, “Marmite and dark chocolate” from Abi Bobroff, and on Instagram, “Marmite and fish sauce” from @wild.flower93.
2. Milk
Milk was often treated as a classic rather than a truly weird addition, with Harley Stafford saying “Milk. Not weird but works”, while Laurina Harris explained it was used “to tenderise the meat”. On Instagram, @thehomecookking said, “A dash of milk to finish it off.”
3. Worcestershire sauce
People tended to use this tangy sauce to add savoury depth to their bolognese, often alongside sugar or other condiments. Haras Hguot listed Worcestershire sauce with brown sugar and red wine, while Instagram commenter @chefpaulxerxen said: “A little Worcestershire sauce adds a nice umami bomb”.
Check out the full comment summary results:
- Marmite 6.6%
- Milk 5.6%
- Worcestershire sauce 5.3%
- Sugar 5.2%
- Chocolate/cocoa 4.4%
- Cinnamon 3.1%
- Anchovies 3.1%
- Ketchup 2.9%
- Balsamic vinegar 2.7%
- Soy sauce 2.1%
Let us know if you’re also a fan of any of the above ingredients, or whether you use a different ingredient which didn’t make the list.
Try our highly-rated best spaghetti bolognese recipe for a taste of our favourite version, then take a look at our fun twists on the classic. You can also check out more comforting bolognese recipes.
Try these twists on spaghetti bolognese
1. Vegan bolognese
Make this vegan bolognese version for a healthy, speedy and satisfying supper. Combining three types of mushrooms, a can of green lentils and a surprising appearance from yeast extract, it’s a vibrant dish which happens to pack in four of your five-a-day.
Try more creative plant-based meals with our vegan recipe ideas.
2. Healthy bolognese
Spaghetti bolognese gets a healthy upgrade here, swapping beef for lean pork mince. We’ve also added fennel and cherry tomatoes for a burst of colour and fresh flavour. It counts as two of your five-a-day, plus it’s low in fat and calories.
Dive into more nourishing meals with our healthy dinner recipes.
3. Lentil bolognese
Get four steps closer to hitting your five-a-day with this super-healthy veggie ragù. It’s a great way to make use of storecupboard ingredients, featuring a bag of red lentils, chopped tomatoes and tomato purée. It serves up to six, so feel free to freeze any leftovers for up to three months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.
Find more ways with lentils in our recipe collection.
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