We could all do with more vegetables in our diet and this Hidden Vegetable Bolognese is packed with 5 different vegetables, all hidden into the most amazing Bolognese sauce. This is a real family friendly meal, that gets no complaints (always a win) that is great for batch cooking. It has all the rich flavour you want from a classic Bolognese, but it is packed with extra vegetables that melt right into the sauce as it cooks.
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This hidden vegetable Bolognese recipe is a great way to make a classic family dinner a little more nutritious without changing the flavour too much. The grated vegetables almost disappear into the sauce, which makes it ideal for children or anyone who are not keen on obvious chunks of veg.
I use the word "hidden" loosely, as I know some kids are like vegetable detectives and would still manage to pick them out! However, my kids, that "hate" courgette and are on the fence about mushrooms, absolutely love this recipe.
I am all for serving veg on the side so they can see it, but some nights you just don't want the fight - enter vegetable Bolognese!
The sauce keeps well in the fridge or freezer, so it is the kind of recipe that can save you on busy evenings. Serve it with pasta, make nachos with it or load it onto a baked potato.
Looking for some more veggie packed recipes? Why not try these juicy Hidden Veggie Beef Burgers, creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese or our delicious Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Vegetables - Onion, carrots, mushrooms, celery and courgettes all go into this vegetable Bolognese, but there are lots of other options listed below in the variations.
- Beef - We used 5% fat to keep this lean, but you could use a higher fat percentage which would add more flavour.
- Seasoning - Italian seasoning blend and some Worcestershire sauce for a flavour punch.
- Stock - A good quality beef stock pot.
- Tomatoes - Passata and tomato puree is what give this vegetable Bolognese the intense tomato flavour. You could swap the passata for canned tomatoes if you prefer, but it would give it more texture.
- Pasta - Spaghetti or linguine work best.
Variations
Meat - You can swap the beef mince for turkey mince if you want a lighter version, although the flavour will be slightly different. You can also use pork or a beef and pork mix for a richer sauce. You could chicken mince, like in our Chicken Bolognese recipe.
Vegetables - If you want to add even more hidden vegetables, a grated red bell pepper works well, or even a handful of finely chopped spinach stirred in at the end. Whatever vegetables you are using, make sure they are finely grated or chopped.
I would avoid using vegetables with a strong flavour like broccoli or cauliflower. If you want hide the spinach, you could blend it into the passata first.
Meat-free protein - If you could like to reduce the quantity of meat in this hidden vegetable Bolognese, then you could swap half the beef mince for cooked lentils. You could also reduce the meat and add more mushrooms or a can of beans.
How To Make Hidden Vegetable Bolognese
- Step 1: Heat the oil in a large pan over a low heat and add the chopped onion. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the garlic, grated carrot, courgette and mushrooms and the diced celery. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add the beef mince. Break it down with a wooden spoon and brown for 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the passata, stock, Italian seasoning, tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce.
- Step 5: Continue to cook over a low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Step 6: After the meat sauce has been cooking for about 10 minutes, put the pasta on to boil.
- Step 7: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the cooked meat sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese (optional).
Serving Suggestions
Pasta - This Bolognese with vegetables is perfect served with spaghetti/linguine and Parmesan, but it also works really well with penne, tagliatelle or rigatoni - just use whatever pasta you have.
Sides - You could add a side salad or some garlic bread if you want to make it go further. Why not try our Cheesy Garlic Bread or Air Fryer Garlic Bread?
Leftovers - Leftovers are amazing loaded on to an Air Fryer Jacket Potato, but have you ever tried a Bolognese cheese toastie? So good! You could also make this Bolognese Pasta Bake.
Bolognese with Vegetables Meal Prep and Storage
Fridge - Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating - Reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave until piping hot. You might need to add a splash of water when reheating to loosen it up a bit.
Freezer - This sauce also freezer-friendly. Let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Grating the vegetables finely is what makes this recipe work so well. You could use a grater attachment on a food processor to make this is even easier.
- Do not rush the step where the vegetables cook down. This helps avoid a watery sauce.
- This cooks low and slow at the end. It gives the sauce time to thicken and allows all the ingredients to come together properly - don't rush it.
- If the sauce becomes a little too thick, stir in a small splash of water or a little extra stock. If it looks too thin, leave it uncovered for the last few minutes of cooking.
- For a little extra richness, you could add a splash of milk during the simmering stage, which gives a softer, more traditional Bolognese-style finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grating is the best method for a true hidden vegetable sauce, but you could finely chop them in a food processor if that is easier. The finer they are, the more they disappear into the sauce.
I really wouldn't recommend this, as it turns it into a watery mush and everything loses its flavour.
More Bolognese Recipes
If you've tried this veggie-loaded bolognese, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Hidden Vegetable Bolognese {With 5 Different Veg}
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of Olive oil
- 1 Onion - large; finely diced
- 2 Carrots - peeled and grated
- 1 Courgette (zucchini) - grated
- 1 rib of Celery - finely diced
- 100 g (3.5 oz) of Mushrooms - grated
- 500 g (1.1 lb) of Lean beef mince
- 3 Garlic cloves - crushed
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- 500 g (2 cups) of Passata
- 300 ml (1.25 cups) of Beef stock
- 2 tablespoons of Tomato puree
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 450 g (1 lb) of Linguine
- Parmesan - to serve
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp of Olive oil in a large pan over a low heat and add 1 Onion (finely diced). Cook for 3 minutes.
- Add 3 Garlic cloves (crushed), 2 Carrots, 1 Courgette (zucchini) and 100 g of Mushrooms (all grated) and 1 rib of Celery (finely diced). Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Add 500 g of Lean beef mince. Break it down with a wooden spoon and brown for 3-4 minutes.
- Add 500 g of Passata, 300 ml of Beef stock, 1 tbsp of Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons of Tomato puree and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
- Continue to cook over a low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- After the meat sauce has been cooking for about 10 minutes, put 450 g of Linguine on to cook.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the cooked meat sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan (optional).
Recipe Notes
- Grating the vegetables finely is what makes this recipe work so well. You could use a grater attachment on a food processor to make this is even easier.
- Do not rush the step where the vegetables cook down. This helps avoid a watery sauce.
- This cooks low and slow at the end. It gives the sauce time to thicken and allows all the ingredients to come together properly - don't rush it.
- If the sauce becomes a little too thick, stir in a small splash of water or a little extra stock. If it looks too thin, leave it uncovered for the last few minutes of cooking.
- For a little extra richness, you could add a splash of milk during the simmering stage, which gives a softer, more traditional Bolognese-style finish.
Nutritional Information
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Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Ros Mitchell says
Whole family really enjoyed this and were surprised at the mushrooms “hidden” in the sauce. Definite winner and or to keep
skye says
Love that it has hidden vegies. I mix it with a little of a store bought jar so the colour is more red and the kids don't pick up on it as much, but it's very tasty and I'd be happy to eat as is (orange colour).
Sarah Baker says
Wow Wow Wow Fantastic bolognese recipe my daughter who can be a little anti veg eater absolutely loved it - as did all of us. Super easy to make, not a whole lot of washing up, and three very happy, very full diners. Go - make it tonight