Bolognese Pasta Bake

Bolognese pasta bake is the perfect comfort food that can be mastered by anyone. In sum, it is an easy pasta recipe which is perfect for feeding large families. It is also an excellent recipe for cooking large batches of food at a time, which you can defrost and enjoy at a later stage. This Bolognese pasta bake stores and freezes well, so make sure you take advantage of this recipe. In addition, it is perfect for students, because a Bolognese pasta bake is inexpensive to make and it can last for several dinners.

You can max out on the cheesiness and make this Bolognese pasta bake as hearty as you want. Also, feel free to use this recipe with all sorts of pasta: fusilli, farfalle, tagliatelle, spaghetti, penne as well as vegan and gluten-free pasta alternatives.

cheesy Bolognese pasta bake recipe

Indeed, one of my favourite things about this Bolognese pasta bake recipe is that it is completely oozing with melted cheese. And let’s face it, this is the best part of any pasta dish. What’s best is that you can use the leftover sauce from this amazing slimming world spaghetti bolognese recipe and turn it into a pasta bake the very next day. 

I’ve always enjoyed making pasta bakes. Not only because they are practical in terms of feeding a large family while being easy to prepare, but also because I enjoy the sustainability aspect of a pasta bake recipe. You can use whatever is left at the bottom of the fridge and still whip up a fantastic, hearty meal at the end of the day. 

Apart from this Bolognese pasta bake recipe, I also recommend taking a look at these:

• chicken and leek pasta bake
• pork sausage and red onion pasta bake
• baked seafood pasta

healthy Bolognese pasta bake

Believe it or not, but this recipe can also be vegan-friendly. Just use a vegan pasta and use the sauce from this excellent vegan spaghetti Bolognese. Yes, it is possible to enjoy a completely vegan Bolognese dish. Just omit the cheese toppings, omit the béchamel and substitute with fresh herbs instead. Use nutritional yeast for a vegan topping.

gluten-free Bolognese pasta bake

The Bolognese pasta bake can also be gluten-free friendly. Just like with my gluten-free Bolognese pasta recipe, you can use gluten-free pasta in your pasta bake. 

For other delicious pasta recipes, take inspiration from these below:

• spaghetti alla carrettiera – using breadcrumbs
• spaghetti with tomatoes and pancetta – delicious combination
• chicken pesto pasta – made with dairy free pesto
• chilli prawn pasta – if you love combining seafood and pasta

best toppings for pasta bakes

There are plenty of toppings you can consider for this Bolognese pasta bake. In fact, the toppings can distinguish your pasta bake from other recipes. So, feel free to experiment and put your own twist on this pasta recipe.

Grated cheese: This is the most popular type of topping and I highly recommend it for this Bolognese pasta bake. You can add grated mozzarella (as well as slices of fresh mozzarella), Gouda or Emmental. Just remember to add the cheese roughly 10 minutes prior to the end of your cook on top of a stunning layer of white sauce. If you add the cheese at the beginning, you’ll burn the cheese, or it will dry out completely. Whereas, if you add it at a later stage, you’ll definitely enjoy the ‘ooze’ factor.

Other cheeses which you can use as a topping include Parmesan, Grana Padano or Gruyere. However, these cheeses are best enjoyed as a final finishing touch to the dish.

Olives: For a more Mediterranean flavour, you can always add thin slices of olives. Both green or black will do the trick. Just make sure that they are pitted. Distribute them evenly on the Bolognese pasta bake, 10 -15 minutes before the end of the cook.

Breadcrumbs / pangritata: This is a typical topping used throughout Sicily. Feel free to add it on top for an extra bit of crunch. If you love pasta recipes using breadcrumbs, you are going to love this pangritata recipe.

Fresh herbs: Fresh parsley or oregano are an excellent way to give the dish a punch of freshness.

Oil: You can also consider using olive oil (although I recommend using premium oil). Garlic oil and chilli oil are also excellent on Bolognese pasta bakes as well as pizza toppings.

spicy Bolognese pasta bake

You can also add fresh chilli and make this a spicy Bolognese pasta bake. Otherwise, you can add a pinch of chilli powder or cayenne pepper powder into the sauce. Also, you can consider these 15 chilli powder substitutes.

best side dishes for pasta bakes

If you feel like the Bolognese pasta bake is a little heavy on the meat and cheese, you can add a green side dish to lighten it up.

For example, you can consider these delicious side dishes which also carry Italian flavours:

• Roasted green beans – this is also a typical pairing with many heavy dishes in French cuisine 
• Roasted artichoke hearts – a traditional and healthy Sicilian side dish
• Simple roasted asparagus – an excellent method for a vitamin boost
• Mediterranean salad with Mediterranean dressing – double up and serve it on its own (perfect for vegetarian eaters)

How would you serve your Bolognese pasta bake? Let me know in the comments section below.
     

GIVEAWAY

This week one lucky reader will win a Baileys Chocolate gift hamper to enjoy this Christmas…! 

This festive season I’m giving one lucky reader the chance to win a festive Baileys Chocolate gift hamper worth £50! Including the salted caramel chocolate range as well as the original, this hamper is the perfect grown-up indulgence for Baileys and chocolate lovers everywhere!

In the hamper, you’ll find both the salted caramel and original flavours of the Baileys truffles range. Available in a sharing tube or pouch, each is filled with mini truffles wrapped with silky smooth chocolate shells and a centre oozing with either salted caramel that has a touch of the iconic Irish cream.

Once you’ve worked your way through truffles range, there’s still more to indulge on including a salted caramel Baileys bar and two different Baileys chocolate box collections. Find out more about the chocolates here.

Entering is easy, just follow the instructions below.

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Competition Question: 

What is your favourite way to prepare Pasta Bake? 

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