ONE POT PASTA BOLOGNESE
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500 g beef mince
- 700 g tomato passata (tomato puree)
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 teaspoons Italian mixed herbs
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon chilli flakes (red pepper flakes), adjust to taste
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¾ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 350 g spaghetti
Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Cook garlic and onion for 2 minutes until translucent.
Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go.
Once beef has all changed from red to brown, add tomato passata.
Pour some beef stock into the empty bottle, shake, then pour into the pot.
Add remaining beef stock and all remaining ingredients except spaghetti. Give it a good stir, then let it come up to the boil.
Add pasta, fanning it out around the pot. Leave for 30 seconds to start softening, then start pushing it in under the liquid.
Once fully submerged, cook for 12 minutes, stirring every minute or so, and more towards the end. At about the 8 minute mark, lower the heat to medium otherwise the base might catch (but ensure it is still bubbling gently)
Take it off the stove once the pasta is JUST cooked, the tiniest bit firmer than you want, and when still saucy. Toss it for about 30 seconds or so – the sauce will reduce further, the pasta will finish cooking.
Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan.
Recipe tested and photos: Melissa Ann Vermeulen
