BeefBowlsCuisineEverything ElseItalianMainsMeatQuick & Easy

One Pot Pasta Bolognese

20 mins Cook
Scroll to recipe
NomNom Recipes 22 2

One Pot Pasta Bolognese is a quicker version of Spaghetti Bolognese using two handy shortcuts: cook the pasta in bolognese sauce and serve it with a thick, tangy sauce instead of the usual crushed tomatoes.

For those skeptical of this one-pot pasta cooking method, see why it works below!

Before I jump into the recipe, I have a message for purists who are skeptical (and some even take offense!) of this one-pot pasta cooking method:

Pasta Bolognese
One Pot Pasta Bolognese- NomNomWow

A Message for the One-Pot-Pasta Cynics!

I don’t blame you for not to be sure. recipe. I’ve tried my share of one-pot pasta, and the two biggest offenders are the unappetising, sticky sauce from all the starch in the pasta, and the undercooked pasta.

But here’s why this one works and tastes so good:

1-Passata – thicker than the usual crushed tomatoes used in classic spaghetti bolognese, so it can soak up the extra starch without tasting ‘hard’; and

2-it’s saucier- than traditional bolognese, the extra liquid is because we first have to cook the pasta evenly with a thinner meat sauce, then add more sauce to coat the starch (another times, less starch broth). Note: I said SAUCIER.
No water!

No, this is not a traditional Bolognese recipe, and although some people who see this recipe will say that their Nonas will roll in their graves, there is actually pasta in Italy that is cooked in a pan (orzo /risoni are common).

Is as good as a classic bolognese, simmer for a few hours to blend the flavors, beat the tomatoes into a smooth sauce, let the meat soften and melt, then pour over the cooked Italian in a pan of water salty In the noodles?

Of course not.

But for convenience and speed, the marginal loss of quality is a very small price to pay.
And it’s always delicious.

So purists, put your horses down and try it! I will never post a recipe that I am not proud of.

One Pot Pasta Bolognese

The idea of ​​this one pot pasta recipe is to get the liquid to pasta ratio just right so that when the pasta cooks, it absorbs the excess liquid, leaving you with a juicy pot of pasta and bolognese!

It’s really all you know and love about classic spaghetti bolognese – and with a few handy shortcuts, you can do the same thing in less time, less effort and only one pot to wash Results delicious:

1-Tomato Passata (aka Tomato Sauce) – creates a thick, rich meat sauce without simmering for 20 minutes; and

2-Pasta cooked in sauce – from the extra liquid The sauce starts so we can cook the pasta as usual in a large pot of boiling water!

Here’s a little preview of what it might look like. rich! Thick!
interesting! delicious!

Ingredients in One Pot Pasta Bolognese

It’s made with essentially the same ingredients as traditional bologna, with a few key differences:

  • Tomato passata instead of crushed tomatoes – for a thick, tangy tomato sauce. New to tomato passata? Read it here; and
  • Bouillon/beef broth instead of cubes – adds extra flavor to the sauce and thins it out at first so we can “cook” the pasta. In a classic bolognese, we use stock cubes and do not add water (unless we cook slowly).

A few quick notes on the other ingredients:

  • Ground Beef / Ground Beef – I usually use lean meat, but any fat percentage will do here. The recipe also works with lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey;
  • Tomato sauce – to give a light tomato flavor and thicken the sauce;
  • Worcestershire Sauce – tasty. The best secondary soy sauce (yes, it really won’t make it taste Asian, I promise!);
  • Dried Italian Herb Blend – I use a store bought premix for convenience, but here are many options (dried and fresh rosemary, thyme), or you can even omit it. Included in recipe instructions;
  • Chili Flakes (Red Pepper Flakes) – I like it a little spicy, but it’s 100% optional!
    Garlic and Onions – Essential Flavor Bases!

Different types of pasta? Chapter
Absolutely! It can be made with any long or short pasta. Pasta that requires a longer cooking time will simply need to sit longer on the stovetop, with a little boiling water added as needed to keep it juicy.
Short pasta dishes (like macaroni, spirals) don’t need as much liquid.

How to make One Pot Pasta Bolognese

It starts out like your everyday Bolognese – until you add beef broth and the Bolognese seems to get very watery. But that’s exactly what you want – so we can cook pasta like you do in a pot of boiling water!

  • Cook the garlic, onion and beef as usual;
  • Add tomato passata, beef broth and all;
  • Stir well – the sauce will look runny, that’s exactly what you want!
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then add the pasta as you would to a pot of boiling water;
  • Let stand 30 seconds to begin to soften, then immerse in liquid;
  • Cook for 12 minutes, until finally stirred evenly until you have a large pot of perfectly cooked Spaghetti Bolognese!

Want meatless pasta in one pot?
Switch to this one pot vegetable pasta recipe. Vegetables can’t handle the quick cooking called for in this recipe, so it’s best to use short pasta that can be simmered.

I really love this scrumptious one-pot pasta, and how the Bolognese is so rich and thick and sticks to the pasta instead of ending up like a pool at the bottom of the bowl.

Seasoned cooks will appreciate this cooking method for emulsifying pasta sauce and pasta, an essential step in pasta recipes, usually at the end by adding the cooked pasta to the pot with the pasta sauce. I do this for all my pasta recipes that aren’t quick and easy recipes like this (as Italians and respectable restaurants do!).

For those wondering – if this one pot pasta is so good, why isn’t all pasta cooked like this?

The answer is that this method of cooking pasta relies on a certain level of precision in liquid to pasta ratios, minimum batches, certain types of pasta sauces for the desired cooking time, and vigorous stirring.

This cooking method also means that all the starch in the pasta ends up in the pasta sauce, which is not ideal for many types of pasta sauces as they end up being too tough.

Here are some examples of pasta that cannot be prepared with this one-pot method:

  • Mushroom Pasta – no, because there is not enough sauce to cook the pasta;
  • Creamy Chicken Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sausage Breast – sauce becomes too viscous;
  • Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta – too delicate for this cooking method;
  • Sausage meatball pasta – not enough sauce. The one-pot method needs to be adjusted; and
  • Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta – asks for slow cooked then shredded beef.
    Not good for a boiling pot – too bulky.

The lesson here is that one-pot macaroni recipes can produce wonderful results, but must be used selectively for the right recipe. I’ve shared a few over the years – here are some reader favorites:

Share
One Pot Pasta Bolognese

One Pot Pasta Bolognese

maimoona
One Pot Pasta Bolognese is a quicker version of Spaghetti Bolognese using two handy shortcuts: cook the pasta in bolognese sauce and serve it with a thick, tangy sauce instead of the usual crushed tomatoes.
prep time
10 mins
cooking time
20 mins
servings
6
total time
30 mins

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 garlic cloves , minced

  • 1 onion , finely chopped

  • 500g / 1 lb beef mince (ground beef) , I use lean

  • 700g / 24.5 oz tomato passata (tomato puree) (Note 1)

  • 3 cups beef broth (or stock cubes + water, Note 2)

  • 2 tsp Italian mixed herbs (options, see Note 3)

  • 1/4 - 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (red pepper flakes) , adjust to taste

  • 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 3/4 tsp each salt and pepper

  • 350g / 12 oz spaghetti , uncooked (other pasta - Note 4)

  • FOR SERVING

  • Parmesan

Instructions

1
Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Saute garlic and onion for 2 minutes, until translucent.
2
Boiled Beef: Add beef and cook, chopping while cooking.
3
Add the Tomatoes: Once the beef has turned from red to brown, add the tomato passata.
4
Bottle Wash: Pour a little beef stock into an empty bottle, shake well and pour into a saucepan.
5
Add everything: Add the rest of the beef broth and all of the remaining ingredients except the spaghetti. Mix well and bring to a boil.
6
Add the pasta: Add the pasta, spreading it around the pan. Let it sit for 30 seconds to start to soften, then start squeezing it under the liquid.
7
Cooking the pasta: Once completely submerged, cook for 12 minutes, stirring every minute or so, and more at the end.
8
After about 8 minutes, reduce the heat to medium or the bottom might get stuck (but make sure it's still bubbling gently - you don't want the pasta to puff up in the hot water).
9
Remove from the heat, stir: the pasta comes out of the heat as soon as it's cooked, a little firmer than you'd like, and still juicy. Stir for about 30 seconds or so - the sauce will reduce further and the pasta will finish cooking.
10
Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan.

Notes

General Notes: If you are reducing a recipe, use a large saucepan and cut the long pasta in half. It's ubiquitous in Australian supermarkets these days, along with pasta sauce. For more information on Passata, click here. The key ingredients in this recipe create a rich, creamy sauce in this quick bolognese recipe. Usually we use crushed tomatoes and simmer for a while (or hours!)! ) to crash it. Beef Stock - Alternative is to use 3 ground beef stock cubes or 3 tsp powder with water. Italian Herb Blend - This is a handy shortcut with a premix. Anything labeled "Italian Herbs" or "Mixed Herbs" will do here. Or make your own with equal parts dried parsley, oregano, rosemary and thyme (if you have 3 or more). More options for similar flavor combinations: Dried Thyme Only - 1 tsp Dried Thyme 1 tsp + 1/4 tsp Rosemary Dried Thyme 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp oregano Fresh - Sprigs of rosemary + and 3 sprigs of rosemary + dredge before portion. Just fresh thyme (not just rosemary - too strong) Always worth making if you don't have any The herbs just add that extra deliciousness! Pasta Options: Long - Fettuccine, Linguine, Bucatini - Thicker pasta takes longer to cook. - Follow recipe as written, but adjust at end by adding 1/2 cup pasta water at a time, and continue cooking/stirring until pasta is cooked. Short - ziti, penne, macaroni, spiral, macaroni - requires less stirring to cook pasta evenly and ensure it doesn't stick, so use less liquid - reduce to 2 1/2 cups broth of beef and add an extra pinch of salt Tiny - orzo/risoni, ditalini, fancy pasta for kids like the alphabet - use this one pot risoni bolognese recipe and spoil tomorrow. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, then reheat in the microwave. Will freeze well, but if you're looking for a type of pre-made bolognese to freeze, I highly recommend the Baked Spaghetti Bolognese (it's made for freezing). Nutrition per serving, assuming 5 large servings, including pasta.
You may also like
ArabianBakedCuisineIndianItalianMainsPakistaniQuick & Easy

Lemon Tart

20 mins Cook
What gives this Lemon Tart its exceptional quality? It’s the lemon curd filling. It strikes a harmonious balance between sweetness and tartness, and its custard-like texture effortlessly dissolves in your mouth. This timeless French tart is both elegant and visually appealing, yet its filling is incredibly uncomplicated, consisting solely of eggs, sugar, butter, and fresh lemon!
ArabianCuisineFrenchIndianItalianQuick & Easy

Healthy Creamy Zucchini Soup

20 mins Cook
You don’t require a substantial amount of cream to create a Creamy Zucchini Soup because the natural consistency of cooked zucchini seamlessly transforms it into a rich and velvety soup. This delightful bowl of warmth not only pleases your taste buds but also boasts a modest calorie count of just 220 per generous serving, or a mere 98 calories if you opt to omit the cream!
ChineseCuisineDips and SaucesFrenchIndianItalianKoreanMainsQuick & Easy

Chinese Zucchini Pancakes

20 mins Cook
Chinese food for breakfast? Absolutely! I can assure you that breakfast in Asian countries is far more intriguing than a simple combination of toast and cereal, not to mention much more delightful!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×
BeefBowlsChineseCuisineMainsMeatQuick & Easy

Beef & Lentil Soup

30 mins Cook