Are you tired of battling with picky eaters who run from vegetables? Prepare to revolutionize your dinner game with this sneaky, delicious Spaghetti Bolognese that packs a nutritional punch without sacrificing an ounce of flavor! This Italian-inspired masterpiece transforms ordinary ground beef and pasta into a vegetable-loaded feast that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds - and begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, grated
- 1 zucchini, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz spaghetti
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by finely grating carrots and zucchini, chopping onion, and mincing garlic to ensure even cooking and hidden vegetable integration.
- Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until no pink remains and meat is fully browned.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in grated carrots and zucchini, cooking for another 3-4 minutes to soften vegetables and blend flavors.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, mixing thoroughly. Add dried oregano, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the sauce, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water in case sauce needs thinning.
- Combine cooked spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves, and optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Grate vegetables super fine: The key to "hiding" veggies is to grate carrots and zucchini into almost undetectable tiny pieces.
- Brown meat thoroughly: Ensure your ground beef is well-browned to develop deep, rich flavors that will mask the vegetable undertones.
- Let the sauce simmer: Patient simmering allows all ingredients to meld together, creating a seamless, delicious sauce where vegetables blend perfectly.
- Reserve pasta water: Keep a bit of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed, ensuring a perfect sauce-to-pasta ratio.
- Fresh herbs make a difference: Garnishing with fresh basil isn't just for looks - it adds a bright, final flavor note that elevates the entire dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 492kcal
Carbohydrates: 59g
Protein: 27g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 60mg
