How to make a healthy Bolognese sauce

When the weather gets cold and winter comfort foods like pasta, spaghetti Bolognese and lasagne start calling, it can feel like a constant battle between healthy eating and warming winter meals. The battle is over! Find out how to make winter meals healthier (but just as comforting) with 5 easy tips and tricks. Plus, get recipes for healthy beef and lentil Bolognese and healthier lasagne.

How to make Bolognese healthier

1. Add hidden vegetables

Carrots, onions and celery are all traditionally used in Bolognese, so putting in more of these veggies can make your sauce healthier without compromising flavour. Finely chop them so they melt into the sauce, and you won’t even notice they’re there.

Mushrooms are also a great addition, their savoury flavour makes Bolognese even more meaty and delicious. Simply slice and add them in, or you can cut them up finely to hide them.

2. Add filling legumes

Beans, lentils and chick peas could all be added to Bolognese to add fibre and protein. Lentils are a popular choice, as their smaller size blends in perfectly with mince.

3. Use leaner meat

Choose lean mince to reduce the fat content in your Bolognese sauce.

4. Use quality tinned tomatoes and pasta sauce

When you’re adding tomatoes and sauces to your Bolognese, check the ingredients carefully. Some pre-packed goods can contain added sugars or thickeners that may not align with your health goals.

5. Eat your Bolognese with high fibre pasta

High fibre pasta is almost identical in taste and texture, but will increase your fibre intake significantly!

To make it even easier for you to make healthy Bolognese, Celebrate Health has created a fantastic Healthy Beef and Lentil Bolognese recipe that uses all the above tips. Plus, they show how you can use the Bolognese with pasta or in lasagne.