Macaroni Bolognese

5 from 6 votes

Macaroni Bolognese is a quick and easy family dinner recipe. Similar to traditional spaghetti bolognese, this is an Italian style favourite.

Course: sauce, sauces

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: macaroni bolognese

Servings:

Calories: 918kcal

Cook the beef mince: heat 1 and ½ tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy based pan at high heat. Add the garlic, beef mince, salt and pepper. Cook till browned (5 to 8 mins) and use a wooden spoon to stir and break up any clumps of meat as you go. The mince will turn a medium brown colour as it cooks.
Add the sauce ingredients: pour in the passata (tomato puree), diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried onion and dried Italian herbs. Stir to combine.
Simmer: turn the heat to low, place a lid over the pan (optional, not essential) and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook macaroni: bring to the boil a medium sized saucepan with a teaspoon of salt. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the packet. Then drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
Combine: add the cooked macaroni to the bolognese sauce as well as the ¼ cup of pasta water. Stir to combine.
Serve and enjoy: portion the macaroni bolognese onto serving plates. Garnish liberally with freshly grated cheese, cracked black pepper and finely chopped parsley.

Note 1 - Macaroni: penne pasta or rigatoni are good substitutes if you want to use one of those instead of the macaroni.
Note 2 - Reserved pasta water: this is the water that the pasta has cooked in. Before you drain the pasta, scoop some out with a heatproof jug or drain with a colander and jug underneath. It helps bind the sauce to the pasta.