ONE DISH, THREE MEALS

Why stop at spag bol? A big batch of heart-warming Bolognese is a gift that keeps giving in deliciously different ways, through the festive season and beyond RECIPES MATTHEW FORD PHOTOGRAPHS LAUREN MECLEAN

3with ways

Add extra flavour

Drop parmesan rind into the pan at the same time as the white wine and remove before serving.

Bolognese

The only Bolognese recipe you’ll ever need

Keep back half of this rich Bolognese and revamp it for another day.

Serves 8 | Ready in 1 hour 50 mins Faff factor |

• 1tbsp olive oil • 750g Asda Rich Beef and Pork Mince • 100g pancetta or streaky bacon, finely chopped • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 2 sticks celery, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 7tbsp tomato purée • 1tsp ground nutmeg • 200ml semi-skimmed milk • 200ml white wine or beef stock • 2 bay leaves

1 Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Fry the mince for 5 mins until starting to colour, stirring with a wooden spoon and breaking up any chunks. Transfer the mince to a bowl and set aside. 2 Fry the pancetta for 5 mins until starting to crisp and turn golden. Add the onion, carrot, celery and fry for 10 mins, stirring until soft, adding a splash of water if the mixture starts to catch. 3 Add the garlic and fry for a minute before returning the mince to the pan with its juices. Stir in the purée, nutmeg and milk, bring to the boil and allow to bubble for a few minutes and reduce. 4 Add the wine or beef stock, bay leaves and 100ml water. Bring to the boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for at least 1 hr 30 mins, ideally 2-3 hrs, stirring occasionally, adding extra water if it looks a little dry. 5 Serve tossed through a pasta of your choice with some grated parmesan sprinkled over the top, if liked.

Food styling: Liberty Mendez Props: Sarah Birks Each 198g portion contains

Energy 1,251kJ 299kcal 15% Fat 18.4g Med 26% Sat Fat 7.5g High 38% Sugars 7.3g Low 8% Salt 0.79g Med 13%

of your reference intake Typical energy value per 100g 632kJ/151kcals READY IN 20 MINS

Bolognese minestrone

Spare handful of farfalle anyone? Penne aplenty? Break up these uncooked spares with a rolling pin and toss in this hearty soup to cook in the liquid – delish!

Serves 4 | Ready in 20 mins Faff factor |

• 600g leftover Bolognese • 1 Asda Beef Stock Cube • 1tbsp tomato purée • ¼tsp dried Italian herbs • ¼tsp dried chilli flakes (optional) • 70g pasta, large shapes snapped or bashed into smaller pieces • 400g can Asda Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed • 70g Asda Extra Special Cavolo Nero

Kale or savoy cabbage, woody stems removed and finely sliced • 20g parmesan • Extra-virgin olive oil, ground black pepper, basil leaves and crusty bread, to serve (optional) 1 Place the leftover Bolognese, crumbled stock cube, tomato purée, herbs, chilli (if using) and pasta pieces in a large saucepan with 1 litre water. Bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 mins. Add the cannellini beans and cavolo nero. Cook for a further 5 mins. 2 Divide the soup between bowls and drizzle with a little olive oil. Grate over some parmesan and season with freshly ground black pepper. Serve with crusty bread and fresh basil.

Each 398g portion contains

Energy 1,615kJ 386kcal 19% Fat 16.7g Med 24% Sat Fat 7.2g High 36% Sugars 7.6g Low 8% Salt 1.63g Med 27%

of your reference intake Typical energy value per 100g 406kJ/97kcals

Bolognese tacos with quick onion pickles

We love a bit of a spicy kick at mealtimes – how hot will you go?

Makes 12 | Ready in 15 mins Faff factor

• 1 large red onion, finely sliced • 2tbsp cider or wine vinegar • 1tbsp groundnut oil • 1tbsp cumin seeds, lightly crushed • 1tbsp chipotle paste • 600g leftover Bolognese • 400g can Asda Taco Mixed Beans in a Spicy Tomato Sauce • 12 hard taco shells or Asda Soft

Mini Tortillas • 2 Little Gem lettuce, finely sliced • 1 large avocado, diced • 30g fresh coriander, roughly chopped, plus extra to serve • 200g tomato salsa • 8tbsp reduced fat soured cream • 80g Asda Fiery Grated Cheese Blend • lime wedges, to serve (optional)

1 To make the quick onion pickles, mix together the red onion and vinegar in a small bowl and set aside. 2 Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the cumin seeds for 30 seconds or until they sizzle and smell fragrant. Add the chipotle paste, leftover Bolognese and taco bean mix and cook for 10 mins, until heated through. Heat the taco shell or tortilla according to the pack instructions. 3 In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, avocado and coriander. 4 Take everything to the table. Fill each taco with a couple of spoons of Bolognese mix, top with some lettuce avocado mix, a dollop of salsa and soured cream and a sprinkle of the spicy cheese. Add some pickled onion slices and a squeeze of lime.

Each 192g portion contains

Energy 1,068kJ 255kcal 13% Fat 14.4g Med 21% Sat Fat 5.2g Med 26% Sugars 6.3g Low 7% Salt 0.71g Med 12%

of your reference intake Typical energy value per 100g 556kJ/133kcals

Top it up

Top with mashed sweet potato and bake in the oven for 30 mins for a great cottage pie alternative.

Keema-style Bolognese

This is a dream served on a jacket potato or with fluffy rice or naan bread.

Serves 4 | Ready in 40 mins Faff factor |

• 1tbsp rapeseed oil • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • thumb-sized piece of ginger, finely grated • 3tbsp Asda Mild Curry Powder • 1tsp turmeric • 1 mild chilli, seeds removed and finely chopped, or 1tsp dried chilli flakes • 600g leftover Bolognese • 200g cherry tomatoes • 180g green beans, sliced • 2tbsp fresh coriander, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish • natural yoghurt, to serve (optional)

1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat then fry the onions for 5 mins until soft but not coloured. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further 2 mins, then stir in the curry powder, turmeric and chilli and cook for 30 seconds. Add the leftover Bolognese, cherry tomatoes and a splash of water. Cook for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. 2 Add the green beans and cook for 5 mins, then stir in the coriander. Serve on rice with a dollop of natural yoghurt and a little extra coriander to garnish.

Each 296g portion contains

Energy 1,350kJ 323kcal 13% Fat 18.4g Med 26% Sat Fat 6.2g High 31% Sugars 12.4g Low 14% Salt 1.27g Med 21%

of your reference intake Typical energy value per 100g 456kJ/109kcals