There are lots of tasty, delicious meals that you can make using Bolognese sauce as the base.
And if you have any leftover sauce after making one of those meals, what should you do with it?
Never fear.
I’ve compiled a list of some of the most practical ways you can do with your leftover bolognese.
Freeze for later use
Freezing your leftover Bolognese sauce is a great option if you wish to keep it for longer than the three days that its shelf-life allows.
Firstly, pour all of the leftover sauce into an airtight container and pop it in the freezer.
Then, when you want to use your sauce again, simply take the sauce out of the freezer and allow it to defrost in a bowl or on a plate.
When thawed, reheat the Bolognese using either an oven or microwave.
If stored properly, freezing can greatly increase bolognese’s lifespan from 3 days to at least 2 months.
Add it to a soup
Mix it with an extra liquid such as stock or water.
Stir this bolognese broth into your favorite soup to create an instant, delicious meal.
Make a spaghetti sauce
Spaghetti Bolognese is the classic Italian dish that many of us know and love (and even more of us have tried to make.).
To turn your leftover bolognese into a spaghetti sauce, simply follow these steps:
Reheat your leftover Bolognese sauce on a stovetop pan.
Add some sliced mushrooms and cook them until they are soft (approx 5 minutes).
Cook pasta until it is al dente, drain it, and place on serving plates.
Top pasta with the mushroom-filled bolognese mixture.
Sprinkle with parsley, parmesan, and pepper before serving.
Use it as a pizza topping
The Italian classic takes on a new life as the base of a pizza.
Be sure to spread out your bolognese sauce thinly across your dough to ensure that every bite is filled with the delicious flavor of spaghetti Bolognese.
Place sliced mushrooms, olives, capsicums (peppers), and feta (or other) cheese on top for an added dimension of taste.
Bake in the oven until cooked through.
Serve with rocket salad leaves dressed in olive oil and lemon juice or garlic bread for a decadent night in.
There are many options available when to use up your leftover Bolognese sauce.
By simply choosing one of the above options, you can ensure that your bolognese lives up to its full shelf life and that none is wasted.
Make a pizza meal
Why not turn your leftover spaghetti Bolognese into a pizza meal?
To do so, simply follow this recipe.
Heat up some spaghetti bolognese.
Roll out a sheet of naan bread onto a flat surface and spread the sauce over it.
Top with sliced mushrooms and cheese of choice (try cheddar or mozzarella).
Bake in the oven until cooked through (usually around 10 minutes).
Serve with rocket salad leaves dressed in olive oil and lemon juice or garlic bread for a delicious dinner.
Other methods
If you have leftover bolognese, you can mix it with red chili pepper, kidney beans, and hot sauce to make a dish called Chilli Con Carne.
You can also add corn kernels, capsicum, or baked beans.
Once it’s hot, you can serve it however you like.
How long does leftover Bolognese last?
Cooked meat sauce lasts in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. (source)
Can you eat leftover Bolognese?
Yes, you can eat leftover bolognese for up to three days.
You can also freeze it for three months in a container that doesn’t let air in.
Can you freeze Bolognese sauce?
Yes, you can.
You should freeze the sauce in ziplock bags that are flat.
This way, it will be easy to stack them on top of each other when they are frozen. (source)
What veggies go with bolognese?
Some people like to cook radicchio and other tart greens.
They also serve a variety of other vegetables, including wild mushrooms, sweet fennel, cauliflower, zucchini, tomatoes, beets, peppers, potatoes, chard, onions, cabbage, sweet squashes, and eggplant.
Can you freeze Bolognese after 3 days?
Bolognese sauce should be frozen the day it is made.
If you find out that you are not going to use it, but it has been in the fridge for 2-3 days, then it is safe to freeze.
It can be used up to 3 months after freezing.
Can you freeze cooked Bolognese mince?
Yes, you can freeze cooked Bolognese sauce.
Make sure the sauce is cooled before freezing it.
The Bolognese can be frozen for up to three months.
Why does bolognese taste better the next day?
When you cook your bolognese or stew, after you take it off the stove, it tastes better the next day because the ingredients are still breaking down. (source)
Can I freeze Bolognese sauce with milk in it?
You can freeze Bolognese sauce with milk in it.
To do this, cook the sauce until it is thickened and then let it cool.
After it has cooled, put it into a bag or container and freeze it.
When you are ready to eat the sauce, defrost it and then cook it over low heat until it is warm.
You can also add milk and cheese to the sauce when you are cooking it.
Can you reheat bolognese on the hob?
Heat some butter on a pot or pan with medium-low heat.
Add your bolognese and moisten it with water, milk, or stock.
Stir occasionally as the pasta warms.
Remove from the stove and serve it hot.
What kind of wine goes with bolognese?
A wine that contains high acidity and tannin work best with Bolognese.
Barolo, Dolcetto, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Chianti Classico, and Nero d’Avola are all good choices.
Is Bolognese sauce supposed to be thick?
Yes, Bolognese sauce is supposed to be thick.
It will be ready in 2 hours.
The sauce will look rich and creamy when it is done.
You can adjust the seasoning if needed.
How long does spaghetti bolognese last in the fridge?
Cooked spaghetti bolognese will be safe to eat after 4 days in the fridge. (source)
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a new way to enjoy your leftovers or want to try something different the next time you make bolognese, these recipes are sure to please.
Have you tried any of them?
Let me know.