Bolognese is a go-to in many kitchens across the UK, as it’s simple, not to mention also delicious and nutritious. This sauce serves eight and can be prepared in 10 minutes and cooks in just 40 minutes (although the longer, the better).

This hearty recipe was shared by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste on the blog Snake River Farms, with the note: “Bolognese is the ultimate family-friendly recipe, and budget-friendly, too! So, how do you take this Italian classic up a notch? Drum roll… add ground cinnamon! The warming spice is a perfect flavour complement when simmered with ground beef, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar and dried oregano. Make a double batch and freeze half for homemade Bolognese in a fraction of the time.”

Method

Pour the olive oil into a large, heavy-based stock pot and place it over a medium-low flame. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, then gently sauté them, stirring regularly, until the onions turn soft and translucent. This should take around five minutes.

Sprinkle in the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, stirring the mixture for a further two minutes so the flavours begin to meld.

Raise the heat to medium and introduce the minced beef along with a small pinch of salt. Use a spatula to break the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains, which should take between five and seven minutes.

Next, incorporate the tomato paste and cook the mixture, stirring from time to time, until the paste darkens slightly and starts to caramelise. This process usually takes about five minutes.

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and dried oregano. Turn the heat down to low, place a lid over the pot and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes.

After simmering, remove the lid, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The sauce is now ready to serve.