Freezer Friendly Spaghetti Bolognese

This spaghetti Bolognese recipe is so close to my heart! Back when I started cooking, this type of recipe really intimidated me. Ground beef? Wine? Pasta? Sounds complicated! But it’s not, I promise. Here’s a quick snapshot of the process. The main elements in this recipe are onions, ground meat, wine (or broth), crushed tomatoes, and pasta—in that order.

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What is Spaghetti Bolognese?

Spaghetti Bolognese is a popular Italian-inspired dish featuring a rich and hearty meat-based sauce served with spaghetti. The sauce, known as Bolognese or ragù, originates from the city of Bologna in Italy and is traditionally made with ground meat (often a combination of beef and pork), tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs. The sauce is slow-cooked to allow the flavors to develop, resulting in a savory and flavorful mixture. It’s so delicious, and perfect for a cold afternoon, and freezes well!

While the authentic Italian version, called ragù alla Bolognese, is often paired with wider pasta like tagliatelle, the spaghetti version has become a global favorite, particularly outside of Italy.

The dish can be customized with additional vegetables, seasonings, or even a splash of red wine to enhance the flavor. It’s a comforting, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

How to customize spaghetti Bolognese

1. Swap ground beef for any ground meat of your choice (pork is really flavorful, but turkey works, too)
2. Swap onions for shallots
3. Use broth instead of wine (but I highly recommend wine if you can use it! All the alcohol gets cooked off.)
4. Throw in some very finely chopped carrots and celery for more veggies if you want. You’re basically making a mirepoix with onions and that’s the trinity of deliciousness.
5. Use any type of pasta you want. Spaghetti or even fettuccine make the most sense, but you can use what you have on hand if you like. Rigatoni is fun, too.
6. Parmesan cheese is optional but highly recommended; you can also use Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano.

Related: 5 Essential Freezer Meal Prep Tips

Let’s talk about the pasta-to-sauce ratio . . .

This is really up to you. Though I will say this sauce is so delicious, you will want a lot on your pasta! Remember that extra sauce can be frozen if you like less sauce!

Related: 20 Meal Prep Salads That You’ll Actually Enjoy Eating

Tip for browning meat so it’s more flavorful 

Instead of adding a package of ground meat to the pan and breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, try making very small “meatballs” (but it’s just ground beef) and then adding them to the pan. This gives the beef more surface area to caramelize and you’ll get a much better color on your meat, rather than the grey-ish color of cooked ground meat.

I formed small meatballs with my hands then carefully placed them in the pan, rotated them to cook on each side, then broke them up after they browned. It was delicious! Feel free to leave them intact if you want or at least intact when you toss them into the sauce. They will undoubtedly break down a bit as the sauce simmers.

How to serve spaghetti Bolognese

You without a doubt meal prep this and store it in the fridge in separate containers, with a side (see suggestions below), or make a nice big green salad to go with it along with some crusty bread.

If you are going to serve this immediately, this dish is excellent on its own. But if you want to pair it with something, here’s are some suggestions:

• Garlic Bread
• No-Knead Rosemary Bread
• Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
• Roasted Broccoli With Parmesean
• Garlic Green Beans

Related: Weekly Meal Prep: 12 One-Pot Dinners Under 30 Minutes

How to store spaghetti Bolognese

This meal can last in the fridge for up to four days. It’s freezer-friendly for up to 6 months (with pasta or without!).

The best way to reheat spaghetti bolognese recipe

I recommend reheating it in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you do it on the stovetop you might need to add a little water, and keep the heat low until it’s defrosted enough to really stir it up and let it heat all the way through. Reheating Spaghetti Bolognese is easy, and there are a few methods you can use to maintain its flavor and texture.

1. Reheat in the Microwave

This is the quickest and easiest method, perfect for a single serving.

• Step 1: Place the spaghetti Bolognese in a microwave-safe dish. If the pasta and sauce are stored separately, combine them before reheating and place them in a microwave-safe dish.
• Step 2: Add a splash of water, stock, or extra sauce to the dish to prevent the pasta from drying out.
• Step 3: Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to lock in moisture.
• Step 4: Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. If it’s not fully heated, continue in 30-second increments until it’s completely hot throughout.

2. Reheat on the Stove

Reheating on the stove gives you more control and helps to evenly heat larger portions.

• Step 1: Place the spaghetti Bolognese sauce in a pan or pot over medium-low heat. If the sauce and pasta are separate, you can heat them together or separately, then mix.
• Step 2: Add a small amount of water, stock, or extra sauce to the dish, to prevent the pasta from drying out.
• Step 3: Stir frequently and heat for 5-7 minutes until the dish is thoroughly warmed, ensuring even heat distribution.

3. Reheat in the Oven

This method works well if you’re reheating a large batch of Spaghetti Bolognese.

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Step 2: Place the spaghetti and sauce in an oven-safe dish. Add a little water or sauce if needed to prevent dryness.
• Step 3: Cover the dish with foil to keep moisture in.
• Step 4: Heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

4. Reheat in a Skillet

If you want a slightly crisp texture to the pasta, using a skillet is a great option.

• Step 1: Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Step 2: Add the spaghetti and sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
• Step 3: Heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until the pasta and sauce are warmed through.

Happy prepping!  

Other pasta recipes to try

• One-Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta
• Meal Prep Tuscan Chicken Pasta Skillet
• Meal Prep Friendly Antipasto Pasta Salad
• Meal Prep Pasta Primavera
• Sheet Pan Ratatouille Pasta
• 20-Minute Ground Beef Pasta With Swiss Chard
• Pumpkin Pasta With Ground Turkey, Mushrooms & Kale