Did you see last week’s post about all the different ways that I use my slow cooker mince and onions? This week, I thought I’d share all the ways that I use another of my batch cooking staple – bolognese.
A big batch of slow cooker bolognese is one of my favourite easy dinners. It takes hardly any effort, smells amazing all day, and you end up with a rich, flavourful sauce that can be used in so many different ways. I almost always make extra because it freezes brilliantly and can be turned into a whole week’s worth of meals with hardly any extra work.
Here are eight of my favourite ways to use it up…
1. Classic Spaghetti Bolognese
It’s the obvious one, but it’s a classic for a reason! Serve your bolognese with spaghetti or whatever pasta you have in the cupboard. A sprinkle of cheese on top and a few garlic bread slices on the side, and dinner’s done.
2. Bolognese Pasta Bake
Mix your leftover bolognese with cooked pasta, stir through a little crème fraîche or white sauce, top with cheese and bake until golden. It’s hearty, comforting, and feels like a completely different meal even though it’s made with the same base.
3. Bolognese Stuffed Peppers
Halve a few peppers, remove the seeds, and fill them with your leftover sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until the peppers are soft and the tops are bubbling. It’s a great way to get an extra portion of veg in too.
4. Bolognese Nachos
Layer tortilla chips in a baking dish, spoon over some warm bolognese, top with cheese, and bake until melted. Add jalapeños, sour cream or guacamole for a fun twist on a Mexican-style night that everyone will love.
5. Loaded Jacket Potatoes
Bake or air fry a couple of big jacket potatoes, cut them open, and spoon in a generous helping of bolognese. Add cheese, a spoonful of sour cream, or even some crispy onions for an easy, filling dinner that feels like comfort food at its best.
6. Bolognese Quesadillas or Toasties
Spread a thin layer of bolognese between two wraps or slices of bread, add a bit of cheese, and toast until crisp. Perfect for lunch the next day and a great way to use up small portions that aren’t quite enough for a full dinner.
7. Homemade Lasagne
Layer your slow cooker bolognese with pasta sheets and white sauce (shop-bought or homemade), top with cheese and bake until bubbling. It’s the perfect way to turn your simple mince into a classic family favourite, and it freezes beautifully if you want to make extra for another day.
8. Bolognese Pizza Topping
Spread your bolognese over a pizza base or flatbread, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until golden and melty. Add a few extra toppings like mushrooms, peppers or onions if you fancy, or keep it simple for a quick, easy dinner that tastes like a treat.
You could even freeze single portions of your slow cooker bolognese in freezer bags or containers for quick meals later. A few minutes in the microwave, and you’ve got a homemade dinner ready to go — no takeaway needed!
Bonus Ideas to Try
If you’ve still got a little left, here are a few more clever ways to make it stretch even further:
Cottage-Pie-Style Bolognese: Pop your bolognese into an oven dish, top with mash, and bake until golden.
- Chilli: Add in some chilli flakes and a tin of baked beans (we hate kidney beans) and heat it all up and you have an amazing chilli.
Bolognese Pastry Parcels: Spoon bolognese into puff pastry squares, fold over and bake until golden.
Bolognese Soup: Add chopped tomatoes, stock, and a handful of pasta for a hearty lunch.
Stuffed Pasta Shells: Fill large pasta shells or cannelloni with bolognese, top with sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbling.
Honestly, once you start thinking beyond pasta, slow cooker bolognese becomes one of the most versatile bases you can make. It’s worth cooking a big batch just to have these quick, budget-friendly meals ready to go.
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