Bolognese Pasta Bake

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This Bolognese Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food – rich, hearty beef bolognese mixed with pasta and baked until golden and bubbling. It’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or adding to your weekly meal plan. It is also great if you want a slight change to the standard spaghetti bolognese. And, lets face it, mozzarella cheese makes everything taste better! This recipe is a real crowd pleaser.

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Serves

3-4 people

Prep & Cook Time

50-55 minutes

Ingredients

• Beef mince: 400–500 g (roughly 14–18 oz)
• Pasta (dried): 300 g (about 10–11 oz) – penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work well
• Olive oil: 1–2 tbsp
• Onion: 2 medium, finely chopped
• Carrots: 2 medium, finely chopped
• Celery (optional): medium, finely chopped
• Garlic & chilli: 1–2 tsp (adjust to taste) – Lazy garlic & chilli are great for this
• Red wine: 50–100 ml (optional, adds depth)
• Tinned tomatoes: 1 × 400 g tin
• Tomato puree: 2 tbsp
• Beef stock (optional): 50 ml if you like a saucier bake
• Salt, pepper, oregano: to taste
• Mozzarella cheese: 100–150 g for topping

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Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F / Gas Mark 6.
2. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the lazy garlic & chilli and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the beef mince and cook until browned all over. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
6. Pour in the red wine (if using) and simmer for 2–3 minutes until reduced slightly.
7. Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, and beef stock (if using). Stir to combine and simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Mix the cooked pasta into the Bolognese sauce, then transfer everything to a baking dish.
10. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
12. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving with garlic bread if desired. Garlic bread is great for soaking up any excess sauce.

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Variations (choose what suits your family)

• Add chopped bell peppers to the sauce for extra veggies. As always in my recipes, you can add mushrooms as long as you don’t tell me 😉
• Use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for a sharper cheesy topping.
• Swap beef mince for turkey or plant-based mince for a lighter version.

Tips for Balance

The pasta should absorb some sauce but not be dry. 300 g of pasta with 400–500 g of mince and 1 tin of tomatoes gives a nice, saucy consistency.

If you like it saucier, you can add an extra 50 ml of stock or 1/2 tin of tomatoes.

Mozzarella melts nicely on top and gives a golden finish—don’t skimp.

Notes

For fussy eaters, keep the sauce separate, blend once cooked and stir into the mince and through the pasta — no one will ever know there are hidden vegetables 🧅

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