This is quick, easy and has a lot of room for error. It’s a good recipe for gamers since it can be left to sit once the sauce is done and doesn’t need constant attention while cooking – perfect for when that guild raid goes for longer than expected. It’s also a good base recipe, easily customised to personal taste.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 500gm x of minced beef
  • 1 x onion
  • 2 x cloves of garlic (or crushed garlic from a jar)
  • 2 x carrots3
  • x 420gm tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 2 x tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 1 x tablespoon of any dried herb
  • Salt and pepper
  • 300gm x of spaghetti
  • Olive oil
  • Tasty cheese

Method

Dice the onions, carrots, mushrooms and garlic. Grate the cheese and put in a bowl, set to one side.

Place pan over a medium heat. Once the oil has heated, add the onions, carrots and garlic. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so that nothing catches on the bottom of the pan. You’re aiming to soften the vegetables, not to brown them extensively.

Add the minced beef to the pan, breaking the meat up with a fork. Cook for 5 minutes, browning the meat.

Now add the tomatoes, tomato paste, dried herbs, salt and pepper, then mix everything together well.

Bring the mixture to the boil and add a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of pepper.

Reduce the heat to low, cover with the pan lid and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 30 minutes, taste to see if more salt and pepper is required.For the pasta, bring a pot of salted water to the boil, add the pasta and cook for 12 minutes or until soft.

To serve, divide the pasta between five plates, spoon Bolognese sauce on top and garnish grated cheese. Goes well with crusty bread.