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Homemade Bolognese Sauce (Budget Family Version)

A rich and comforting homemade bolognese sauce made with simple, affordable ingredients including beef mince, tomatoes, vegetables, and herbs. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, freezer meals, and easy pasta nights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Serves
Course: Dinner, Pasta Sauce
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g beef mince
  • 1 Brown Onion
  • 2 Carrots
  • 2 Sticks Celery
  • 3 Cloves Garlic
  • 2 400g cans Crushed Tomato
  • 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 Cup Beef Stock
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tsp Dried Basil
  • 1 Tsp Paprika (optional)
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Fresh Basil & Parmesan

Method
 

Cook the Vegetables
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Brown the mince
  1. Add the beef mince and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Build the sauce
  1. Stir through the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.
Simmer
  1. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes rich and flavoursome.
Serve
  1. Serve over your favourite pasta and top with parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Notes

  • For a richer flavour, allow the sauce to simmer for longer if time allows.
  • Add grated zucchini, mushrooms, or extra carrots to stretch the meal further.
  • This sauce freezes beautifully, making it perfect for batch cooking.
  • For a smoother sauce, finely grate vegetables or blend part of the finished sauce before serving.
  • Save some pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta.