What to do with leftover bolognese - Spaghetti Bolognese

What to do with Leftover Bolognese

Have you ever found yourself with a generous amount of leftover bolognese but unsure of what to do with it? Fear not! There’s a world of possibilities beyond simply reheating it for another round of spaghetti bolognese (although it’s absolutely fine to do that too). I’ve got a tonne of other ideas for what to do with leftover bolognese right here.

The versatility of bolognese means you can experiment with different dishes and cuisines. Not only will this save you time and money, but it will also help reduce food waste and inspire you to get more creative in the kitchen. So, let’s dive into these exciting ideas and give your leftover bolognese a delicious makeover.

Storing Leftover Bolognese

Before we look at the tasty meals you can create with your leftovers, we need to store those leftovers properly to preserve the taste and stop them from spoiling.

How Long can you Keep Leftover Bolognese in the Fridge?

You can safely keep your leftover bolognese in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just ensure that the container is properly sealed before placing it in the fridge to maintain optimal freshness.

Freezing Leftovers

If you don’t plan on eating your leftover bolognese within those 3-4 days, you can freeze it instead. Here’s how you can go about it:

  1. Place your leftover bolognese sauce in a large freezer bag.
  2. Remove all the air from the bag, as this will help prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of your leftovers.
  3. Label the bag with the contents and the date so you know how long it has been stored when you come to use it.

When you’re ready to use your frozen bolognese sauce, defrost it thoroughly in the fridge before reheating it until it’s steaming hot. This way, you can safely enjoy your leftovers without compromising their taste or quality.

Reinventing Your Leftovers – What to Do with Leftover Bolognese

So here we go, a few ideas for what to do with your leftover sauce so that it doesn’t go to waste. I actually think bolognese sauce tastes better the second time around, so I love making meals with the leftovers.

Cottage Pie

Transform your leftover bolognese sauce into a comforting cottage pie. Simply cook your favourite mashed potatoes, spread the bolognese sauce into an ovenproof baking dish, and top with the mash. Sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese on top, then place in the oven for about 30 minutes at 180°C/Gas Mark 4, or until golden and bubbling. I sometimes like to add a few cherry tomatoes to the top too. Delicious!

Beef Curry

Make a delicious beef curry by adding a generous spoonful of curry paste or powder to the bolognese sauce and some extra veggies like peas or peppers. Simmer for a few minutes, then serve with rice, naan bread, or your preferred side, and a dollop of yoghurt.

Chilli Con Carne

Spice up your leftover bolognese sauce with a dash of hot sauce and some Mexican seasoning. Combine with beans, such as kidney beans or black beans, and simmer for a rich and hearty chilli con carne. Perfect as a dinner option over rice, tortilla chips or whatever tasty side dish you fancy.

What to do with leftover bolognese - Chilli Con Carne

Pasta Bake

For an easy pasta bake, mix leftover bolognese sauce with cooked pasta of your choice, then combine with a spoonful of cream or ricotta cheese. Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish, add grated mozzarella, and bake at 180°C/Gas Mar 4 for around 20-25 minutes.

Lasagne

Layer sheets of pasta with leftover bolognese sauce and either Béchamel or ricotta mixture as a filling. Top with mozzarella or cheddar cheese, then bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes at 180°C/Gas Mark 4.

Optional Extras Preparation
Extra veggies Add in sautéed spinach, mushrooms or thinly sliced courgettes.
Protein boost Mix in some cooked, chopped bacon or diced ham.

Beef Cannelloni

Stuff pasta tubes with leftover bolognese sauce, then arrange them in an ovenproof dish. Top with either a Béchamel or a ricotta mixture and grated cheese. Bake at 180°C/Gas Mark 4 for 30-40 minutes.

Sloppy Joes

Heat some bolognese sauce in a pan, then spoon it onto thick slices of toast or soft white buns for a delicious lunch or dinner option – your very own homemade Sloppy Joes.

What to do with Leftover Bolognese - Sloppy Joes

Stuffed Peppers

Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove the seeds for a delicious stuffed pepper recipe. Fill them with bolognese sauce mixed with cooked rice, top with cheese, and bake in the oven for approximately 25 minutes at 180°C/Gas Mark 4.

Jacket Potatoes

One of my favourite ways to use up leftover bolognese is probably one of the simplest too. I just heat it up and serve it on top of baked potatoes with some grated cheese.

Pizza and Bread Options

  • Pizza: Use leftover bolognese topping, and spread it on your pizza base along with your favourite toppings and cheese.
  • Garlic bread: Layer some bolognese sauce on sliced garlic bread, then toast it in the oven. Top with grated cheese and garnish with fresh basil.

Pie and Pastry Ideas

Get creative with bolognese sauce and pastry to make mouth-watering personal pies or sausage rolls. Fill store-bought pastry or rolled-out slices of bread with the sauce and bake for a delicious alternative to traditional pies.

Mexican-Inspired Meals

  • Tacos: Serve bolognese sauce in taco shells with shredded lettuce, cheese, and diced avocado.
  • Nachos: Spread nacho chips on a baking tray, top with bolognese sauce, cheese, and jalapeños. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Fajitas: Warm up tortillas filled with bolognese sauce, cheese, sour cream, and extra veggies like sautéed onions and peppers.

So, next time you’ve got some leftover spaghetti bolognese, try out one of these suggestions, and I reckon you’ll soon have another family favourite meal to add to your weekly meal plan.

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