Name: Big-batch bolognese
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 tbsp olive oil; 6 smoked bacon rashers, chopped; 4 onions finely chopped; 3 carrots finely chopped; 4 celery sticks, finely chopped; 8 garlic cloves crushed; 2 tbsp dried mixed herbs; 2 bay leaves; 500g mushrooms sliced; 1½ kg lean minced beef (or use half beef, half pork mince); 6 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes; 6 tbsp tomato purée; large glass red wine (optional); 4 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tbsp sugar; parmesan to serve

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

1 hr 55 min total 25 min prep 1 hr 30 min cook 12 295 cal

Instructions

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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.
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.
3 If you want to make this in a slow cooker, visit our slow cooker bolognese recipe.