Easy Meal Prep Spaghetti Bolognese

Master the art of the perfect freezer-friendly bolognese. This high-protein, veggie-packed meal prep solution delivers a comforting pasta dinner in just 5 minutes.

Ingredients

• 400 g spaghetti
• 300 g ground beef
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 400 g tomato pasta sauce
• 100 g fresh tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian herbs
• 50 g Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1Boil the pasta water

   

   Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water to season the pasta as it cooks.

   Tip: Adding salt to the pasta water is essential for building flavor from the inside out.
2. 2Cook the spaghetti

   

   Submerge the dry spaghetti noodles into the boiling water. Cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions to ensure it remains firm after reheating later.

   Tip: Undercooking the pasta slightly prevents it from becoming mushy when you reheat your frozen meal prep portions.
3. 3Portion and cool the pasta

   

   Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss it with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Allow the noodles to cool completely before portioning them into the compartments of a silicone freezing mold.

   Tip: Tossing the pasta with a small amount of olive oil helps keep the strands separate while freezing.
4. 4Brown the ground beef

   

   In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is well browned. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside, reserving the rendered fat in the pan.

   Tip: Cooking the meat without extra oil relies on the fat rendered directly from the beef for flavor.
5. 5Prepare the aromatics

   

   Finely dice the carrots, celery, and red onions. Keeping these vegetables uniform in size helps them cook evenly when sautéed.

   Tip: These finely diced vegetables create the classic mirepoix base for a rich pasta sauce.
6. 6Simmer the bolognese sauce

   

   Sauté the diced vegetables in the reserved beef fat until softened. Stir in the tomato pasta sauce, fresh tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings, then return the browned beef to the pan and simmer for 30-40 minutes until thickened.

   Tip: A long, slow simmer is key to achieving a deep, rich flavor in your bolognese sauce.
7. 7Add Parmesan cheese

   

   Grate fresh Parmesan cheese directly into the simmering pan of meat sauce. This adds a rich, savory depth to the sauce while it continues to thicken during the final stages of cooking.

   Tip: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides a more authentic flavor than pre-shredded varieties.
8. 8Portion for the freezer

   

   Once the meat sauce has simmered and thickened, allow it to cool slightly. Use a large spoon to portion the sauce into a silicone ice cube tray, which allows for easy, individual-sized servings that can be frozen and reheated later.

   Tip: Using a silicone mold makes it very easy to pop out the frozen sauce blocks when you are ready to cook your quick dinner.
9. 9Reheat and serve

   

   When ready to eat, place the frozen pasta and sauce blocks directly into a hot skillet. Cover with a lid and heat for a few minutes, using tongs to break up the blocks as they thaw and combine into a ready-to-eat meal.

   Tip: Cover the skillet with a lid while reheating to help the frozen blocks thaw and warm through more quickly.

Freezer Storage & Reheating

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Frequently Asked Questions