The Best Ever Bolognese Pasta Bake

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This mouthwatering Bolognese Pasta Bake will impress the whole family – tender pasta coated in a rich, Italian-style Bolognese sauce, all topped with a deliciously golden layer of melted cheese. It's the perfect comfort food for cosy nights in, with every bite bursting with hearty flavours.

bolognese pasta bake in baking dish sliced into 6 portions with bowl of mixed salad in background

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good Bolognese? This bake takes a classic favourite to the next level. Whether it’s for a family dinner or a weekend treat, this dish will have everyone going back for seconds. The combination of pasta, rich sauce, and gooey cheese creates a bake that's impossible to resist.

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Calories in Bolognese Pasta Bake
Make it Vegetarian
Sides for Bolognese Pasta Bake
How can I add additional vegetables to this recipe?
More Pasta Bakes
FAQ for Bolognese Pasta Bake
Recipe Card

close up of bolognese pasta bake in baking dish with bowl of mixed salad in background

Calories in Bolognese Pasta Bake

This Yummy Pasta Bake serves 6 and and is 511 calories per serving

If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 500+ calorie recipes.

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.

Make it Vegetarian

If you are vegetarian, swap out the ground beef for a veggie meat substitute or even lentils. I love bolognese using green or brown lentils. Lentils can be purchased for such a low cost too, which would make these meal budget friendly.

I always have various bags of different lentils and beans in my pantry. They can come in really handy, if I do not have any meat defrosted and I need to make something up for dinner.

Have you seen my Lentil Bolognese recipe?

bolognese pasta bake in baking dish, sliced into 6 portions

Sides for Bolognese Pasta Bake

When you're diving into a rich, comforting dish like this Bolognese Pasta Bake, the right sides can elevate the meal without stealing the spotlight. Here are some of the best accompaniments to complete your Italian-inspired feast:

Simple Mixed Salad
Balance out the heartiness of the pasta bake with a light, fresh green salad. A mix of crisp lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes with a light vinaegrette is perfect. But you can also added in additional salad items like red onion, peppers, carrot, corn and much much more.
Roasted Vegetables
If you're craving something warm, roasted vegetables are a fantastic choice. Spray some courgettes, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil spray, salt, and a pinch of oregano. The roasted sweetness will complement the savoury meat sauce beautifully.
Steamed Greens
Sometimes, simple is best. Steamed tenderstem broccoli, asparagus or any of your favourite greens provides a vibrant and nutritious side that adds just the right amount of freshness to your meal.

Each of these sides brings something different to the table, ensuring your Bolognese Pasta Bake remains the star while offering a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.

How can I add additional vegetables to this recipe?

The bolognese sauce in this pasta bake comes packed with veggies like carrot, onion, zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes.

To balance your plate, I always make up a big bowl of salad which I serve in the middle of the table for everyone to dig into and add some to their plate.

All kinds of salad vegetables are perfect - baby greens, crisp lettuce, cucumber, carrot, peppers, tomatoes, onion.

Bolognese pasta bake in a baking dish, sliced into 6 portions, with a spatula lifting one portion, showcasing the rich meat sauce and golden melted cheese topping.

More Pasta Bakes

Love Pasta bakes? Check out these other amazing recipes:

Roasted Butternut Squash Zucchini Pasta Bake
Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake
Pulled Pork Pasta Bake
Mexican Pasta Bake
Chicken, Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta Bake
Creamy Vegetable Pasta Bake
Sausage and Bean Pasta Bake
Salmon and Leek Pasta Bake
Tuna Pasta Bake
Chicken Bacon and Tomato Pasta Bake
Creamy Chicken Mushroom Tomato Pasta Bake

or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.

All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.

FAQ for Bolognese Pasta Bake

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Absolutely! While traditional pasta bakes often use penne or rigatoni, you can experiment with any shape that holds sauce well. Fusilli, farfalle, or even shells are great options as they catch and hold the rich Bolognese sauce in every bite.

How do I freeze Bolognese Pasta Bake?

Freezing your Bolognese Pasta Bake is a great way to save leftovers or prepare meals ahead of time. While you can freeze leftovers after baking, I recommend freezing it before baking, preferably in single-serving dishes. This helps prevent the pasta from overcooking when reheating. Be sure the bake has cooled completely before freezing..

What’s the best way to reheat Bolognese Pasta Bake?

If you’re reheating from frozen, it’s best to let the pasta bake thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 20-25 minutes, or until it’s heated through. If you want the top to be extra crispy, uncover it for the last 5-10 minutes of reheating. You can also microwave individual portions on medium heat, though you may lose some of that delicious crunch from the cheese topping.

portion of bolognese pasta bake on a serving plate with baking dish in background and bowl of mixed salad

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Recipe Card

Best Ever Bolognese Pasta Bake

Yield: Serves 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Mouthwatering Bolognese Pasta Bake with rich, hearty Bolognese meat sauce, perfectly coated pasta, and a golden melted cheese topping. A comforting and delicious family favourite!

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped chopped
1 courgette, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1.5 cups (360ml) of beef, chicken or vegetable stock
455g (1lb) of extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
3 cups (720ml) of crushed tomatoes (or passata)
1 teaspoon of dried basil
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
3 tablespoons of tomato puree
handful of mushrooms sliced
350g (12.5oz) of dried pasta of choice (can use gluten free)
salt and black pepper to season
splash of balsamic vinegar
dash or worcestershire sauce
Salt and Black Pepper

to top:

150g (5.5oz) of Mozzarella
60g/2oz of Cheddar
30g (1oz) Parmesan

to serve:

fresh chopped Italian parsley

Instructions

Add the mince, onion and garlic to a deep frying pan over a medium high heat and cook until browned.
Add the carrot, courgette and mushrooms and cook for a further 3 mins.
Add the herbs, crushed tomatoes, stock, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil and then cover and reduce to simmer. Allow to simmer for 30 mins, until sauce thickens and becomes nice and rich. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Preheat oven to 200c or 400f (gas mark 6)
Place the pasta in a saucepan of boiling hot water and cook until al dente - approx 7 mins (you want it to still have a slight bite, as it will continue to cook in the oven).
Add the pasta to a large oven proof dish.
Add the bolognese meat sauce and mix well.
Top with all cheeses and sprinkle of black pepper.
Place in oven and bake until cheese has melted and is golden on top. Approx 30mins
Serve topped with fresh chopped Italian parsley and your choice of sides.

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
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Suitable for Freezing ❄️

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Nutrition Information

Yield 6 Serving Size 1 SERVING
Amount Per Serving Calories 511Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 79mgSodium 806mgCarbohydrates 59gFiber 5gSugar 10gProtein 30g

Nutritional information is an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information.