Hey everyone! If you’re in the mood for something hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, then you’ve come to the right place! I thought I’d switch things up a bit and swap out pasta or rice with potatoes for a new twist on the classic Bolognese. The result? A cheesy, comforting, and satisfying dish that will definitely make your taste buds dance. It’s got crispy potatoes on top, a rich, savory Bolognese underneath, and a gooey, melty cheese layer. Ready to give it a try? Let’s dive in!
Method
1. Cook the Veggies
Start by heating some fry light spray in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chopped onion, peppers, carrot, and celery. Sauté these vegetables for about 5-7 minutes until they soften and start to become tender. The goal is to get the veggies nice and cooked but still a bit firm for texture. Once they’re done, add the minced garlic and cook it for another minute. The garlic will add a lovely aromatic flavor to the base of your Bolognese sauce.
2. Cook the Potatoes
While your veggies are cooking, prepare the potatoes. Take the 800g of potatoes and chop them into 2cm cubes. Toss these cubes in 1 tablespoon of oil, and season them with salt, pepper, and oregano. Once everything is well coated, place the potatoes in your air fryer at 200°C. Air fry them for about 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! You can easily cook them in the oven at about 200°C for roughly 40 minutes. Just make sure to toss the potatoes halfway through for an even crisp.
3. Brown the Mince
After the vegetables are softened and garlic is cooked, move the veggie mixture to one side of the pan and add the 500g of beef mince in the same pan. Break it up with a spoon and cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, add the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, and more salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir everything together so the meat is evenly coated with the flavors. This is where all the richness of the Bolognese sauce starts to come together.
4. Simmer the Sauce
Next, pour in the tin of tomatoes and add 1/4 tin of water to help thin it out. Stir it all in and add the beef stock pot for a deeper, savory flavor. Turn down the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally and let the sauce thicken and the flavors develop. The longer you let it simmer, the better the flavors will meld together. Make sure to taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs as needed during this time.
5. Assemble the Bake
Once your potatoes are golden and crispy, it’s time to assemble the dish. Grab a baking dish and spread the cooked Bolognese sauce evenly across the bottom. Then, take the crispy potatoes and layer them on top of the Bolognese sauce. Sprinkle 60g of cheese (I used a mix of Red Leicester and 50% fat cheddar) and 60g of mozzarella on top. The cheese will melt beautifully, creating a gooey, delicious layer. Now, pop the dish under the grill for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Keep an eye on it to prevent the cheese from burning.
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan
- Air fryer (or oven)
- Grater (for the cheese)
- Large pot or pan
- Stirrin spoon
- Baking dish (for grilling)
Cheesy Bolognese Potato Bake Recipe
Cuisine: European, AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes40
minutes50
minutesIngredients
800g potatoes, chopped into 2cm cubes
1 tbsp oil
Salt + pepper, to taste
1 tbsp oregano
For the Bolognese
1 onion, chopped
2 peppers, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
500g 5% fat beef mince
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt + pepper, to taste
1 tbsp mixed herbs
1 tin of tomatoes
1/4 tin of water
1 beef stock pot
60g cheese (I used a mix of Red Leicester and 50% fat cheddar)
60g mozzarella
Directions
- Cook the Veggies
Start by heating up some fry light spray in a frying pan. Add the chopped onion, peppers, carrot, and celery. Cook them over medium heat until they’ve softened. Once they’re nice and tender, toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for another minute. - Cook the Potatoes
While your veggies are softening, prepare the potatoes. Toss the 2cm cubes of potato in the oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Air fry at 200°C for about 20 minutes or until they’re golden and crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can pop them in the oven for about 40 minutes. - Brown the Mince
In the same pan with your veggies, add the beef mince. Brown the meat until it’s fully cooked through. Add the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, a little more salt, pepper, and oregano, then stir it all together. - Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the tinned tomatoes and add 1/4 tin of water, followed by the beef stock pot. Let this simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together! - Assemble the Bake
Once the potatoes are done, layer them on top of the Bolognese in a baking dish. Sprinkle the cheese over the top, followed by the mozzarella. Pop the dish under the grill for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the potatoes in the air fryer or oven, as they can become too crispy to blend well with the Bolognese.
- While simmering the sauce, keep an eye on the liquid level. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water to maintain a nice, saucy consistency.
- Don’t forget to check the seasoning! Taste your Bolognese before assembling the bake and adjust the salt, pepper, and herbs as needed.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this cheesy Bolognese potato bake with a fresh, crisp side salad to balance out the richness of the dish. A drizzle of balsamic glaze on the salad adds an extra layer of flavor.
- You could also serve it with some garlic bread for that extra comfort food feel. The cheesy topping is perfect for sopping up with bread.
Fun Fact
Did you know that potatoes were originally cultivated in the Andes in South America over 7,000 years ago? Now they’re one of the most widely grown root vegetables in the world. It’s amazing how such a humble veggie can be the star of so many dishes like this one!
Conclusion
This cheesy Bolognese potato bake is the perfect comfort food that combines all the best parts of a Bolognese and a cheesy potato bake. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or just a cozy night in, it’s sure to become a new favorite. The layers of tender potatoes, savory Bolognese sauce, and melted cheese create a dish that’s hearty, comforting, and totally delicious. Happy cooking, and I hope you love this as much as I did!
