Big-batch bolognese
Whip up a huge batch of bolognese that's fit to feed a hungry crowd, or freeze half for a speedy midweek meal
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 12 persons
Ingredients
- 4tbsp olive oil
- 6smoked bacon rashers, chopped
- 4onions, finely chopped
- 3carrots, finely chopped
- 4celery sticks, finely chopped
- 8garlic cloves, crushed
- 2tbsp dried mixed herbs
- 2bay leaves
- 500g mushrooms, sliced
- 5 ½kg lean minced beef (or use half beef, half pork mince)
- 6x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 6tbsp tomato purée
- large glass red wine (optional)
- 4tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1tbsp sugar
- parmesan, to serve
Instructions
Step 1
Heat the oil in a very large saucepan. Gently cook the bacon, onions, carrots and celery for 20 mins until golden. Add the garlic, herbs, bay and mushrooms, then cook for 2 mins more.Step 2
Heat a large frying pan until really hot. Crumble in just enough mince to cover the pan, cook until brown, then tip in with the veg. Continue to fry the mince in batches until used up. Tip the tomatoes and purée in with the mince and veg. Rinse the cans out with the red wine, if you have some, or with a little water, then add to the pan with the vinegar and sugar. Season generously and bring to a simmer. Simmer slowly for 1 hr until thick and saucy and the mince is tender. Serve with pasta and parmesan.Step 3
If you want to make this in a slow cooker, visit our slow cooker bolognese recipe.