Mark's Aussie Bolognaise

Elevate your pasta night with "Mark's Aussie Bolognaise," a hearty twist on the classic Italian favorite that’s brimming with bold, comforting flavors. This recipe features tender ground beef or, for a true Aussie touch, kangaroo meat, simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with Worcestershire sauce, aromatic oregano, and a splash of red wine for added depth. Packed with wholesome veggies like carrot and celery, this bolognaise is a delicious way to sneak in extra nutrition. Simmered to perfection, the sauce is served over al dente spaghetti and finished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for cozy family dinners or impressing guests, this Aussie-inspired bolognaise delivers on flavor, authenticity, and soul-warming satisfaction.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large brown onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely diced
• 500 grams ground beef (or kangaroo meat for a true Aussie version)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 250 milliliters beef stock
• 125 milliliters red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
• 5 leaves fresh basil leaves
• 400 grams spaghetti or preferred pasta
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Increase the heat to high and add the ground beef (or kangaroo meat). Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato paste and let cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, red wine (if using), Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and developed a rich aroma.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning if necessary. Stir in the fresh basil leaves just before serving.

Step 8

While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti (or preferred pasta) in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain well.

Step 9

Serve the Aussie Bolognaise sauce over the freshly cooked pasta. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2293.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2754.9

Total Fat 148.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 390mg	0%
Sodium 5120.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 193.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.7g	0%
Total Sugars 36.4g
Protein 139.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 952.9mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 4340.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.0%

Protein: 21.0%

Carbs: 29.1%