Healthy spaghetti bolognese
Healthy spaghetti bolognese made with lean beef, pork, and hidden veggies. A slimming-friendly, family dinner that’s perfect for meal prep too!
10 mins
50 mins
266 kcals
serves 8
Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese (Slimming friendly & easy)
This healthy spaghetti bolognese is a lighter take on the Italian classic – rich, hearty, and packed with hidden veggies. Using extra lean beef and pork mince, it’s full of flavour but naturally lower in fat, making it the perfect slimming-friendly family dinner.
Whether you’re cooking for the whole family, prepping meals ahead of time, or just fancy a comforting bowl of pasta, this recipe is a winner.
Why this bolognese is healthier than most
Classic bolognese recipes often rely on fatty mince and generous amounts of oil. This version keeps it lighter without losing any of that deep, comforting flavour by:
- Using lean beef and pork mince (less fat, same flavour).
- Cooking with spray oil instead of glugging in regular oil.
- Adding extra vegetables for fibre and nutrients.
- Allowing the sauce to simmer slowly for a rich, naturally thick texture.
It’s comfort food that fits into a balanced lifestyle.
Equipment you’ll need
Nothing fancy, just a large sauté pan or casserole dish big enough to hold the sauce. A wooden spoon for stirring, and you’re good to go.
Serving suggestions
Classic family dinner: Serve with spaghetti and a sprinkle of parmesan and some chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or basil.
Low-carb swap: Pair with courgetti (spiralized courgette) or roasted spaghetti squash.
With extra veg: Add a side salad or steamed greens to make it even more balanced.
Batch cooking: If I’m making a meal like this I like to make a double batch (and this recipe will generously serve 8) so that I can freeze portions for quick midweek meals. Ideal for meal prep!
Storing and reheating
One of the best things about this recipe is how well it keeps.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Portion into tubs and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the hob with a splash of water, or microwave for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway.
This makes it one of the easiest meal prep pasta recipes to stock your freezer with.
Please note: I usually cook the pasta when I reheat the bolognese sauce, as when pasta is frozen and reheated it loses it’s texture and can become mushy. Spaghetti especially does not freeze well. A more solid, thicker shape such as penne or rigatoni will freeze a little better but I still prefer it freshly cooked when I need it.
Other vegetables you can add to bolognese
One of the best things about bolognese is how versatile it is. If you’d like to sneak in more veggies (great for fussy eaters, or just boosting nutrition), here are some tasty additions:
- Mushrooms: Finely chopped mushrooms add umami depth and bulk out the sauce. Add them at the same time as the carrots so they cook down.
- Peppers: Red or yellow peppers bring sweetness. Add them along with the chopped tomatoes.
- Courgette (zucchini): Grate or finely dice, then stir in with the carrots. They melt into the sauce, making it extra thick.
- Spinach: Stir through a couple of handfuls right at the end of cooking so it wilts into the sauce.
- Peas or sweetcorn: Great for kids, and can be added in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Butternut squash or pumpkin: Adds natural sweetness and fibre. Dice small and add with the carrots so they have time to soften.
Tip: If you’re batch cooking, it’s best to avoid adding water-heavy veg like courgette or spinach until reheating, as they can release liquid when frozen.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make it without pork?
Yes – just swap the pork for lean beef, turkey, or chicken mince.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Definitely. Use plant-based mince or lentils, and swap to vegetable stock.
Is this good for weight loss?
Yes – it’s made with lean mince, spray oil, and lots of veg, making it a slimming-friendly spaghetti bolognese that still feels indulgent.
What pasta works best?
Spaghetti is traditional, but penne, tagliatelle, or fusilli all work well with this sauce.
Final thoughts
This healthy spaghetti bolognese recipe is proof that comfort food can still be light, nutritious, and family-friendly. It’s one of those dishes you’ll come back to time and time again – whether for a weeknight dinner, a low-fat pasta night, or a big batch of meal prep.
Love this recipe? check out some of my other popular pasta recipes:
Healthy spaghetti bolognese
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Healthy spaghetti bolognese made with lean beef, pork, and hidden veggies. A slimming-friendly, family dinner that’s perfect for meal prep too!
Syn-free
Ingredients
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 stick celery (finely chopped)
- 500 g extra lean beef mince (less than 5% fat)
- 500 g lean pork mince (less than 5% fat)
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 carrots (peeled and very finely chopped)
- 1 red wine stock pot (Substitute with 1 beef stock cube if you can’t get hold of this)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt & pepper (to taste))
- Spray oil
Instructions
- Fry the onion, garlic and celery in spray oil for about 8 minutes, until softened.
- Add the beef and pork mince, and stir-fry (breaking up any clumps) until browned
- Add in the carrots, tinned tomatoes, stock pot, bay leaves and salt and pepper and simmer for 45 minutes, until the sauce is thick and rich.
Notes
Perfect served with spaghetti and an italian style salad, or a mixture of courgetti and spaghetti!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
