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Home By Course Main Entrees Bowls

Easy Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese (with Hidden Veggies!)

This Easy Spaghetti Bolognese with Hidden Veggies is the ultimate, 30-minute weeknight dinner! Packed with tons of flavor and nutrients this meal will guarantee clean plates all around! This easy bolognese sauce can be served over your favorite pasta, spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles so there's a delicious option for everyone! 

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By: Lauren published: Oct. 13, 2023 updated: Jul. 17, 2024 10 Comments

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Easy spaghetti bolognese served over pasta on a plate with a fork.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Easy Spaghetti Bolognese With Hidden Veggies
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations
How To Make
How To Store
Make In Bulk!
FAQ: Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese With Hidden Veggies
More Easy Weeknight Recipes To Try
Easy Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese (with Hidden Veggies!)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

This healthy spaghetti bolognese is so hearty, flavorful and delicious! It’s the best comfort food. And the really the best way to use up veggies and sneak them in in a way the kids (we all!) can enjoy.

This easy pasta recipe is ready in just 30 minutes so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. You will definitely want to put this on your grocery list next time! 

I’m not kidding when I say you’ll never guess this recipe is so healthy. This hearty meat sauce is packed with so much flavor, makes the best spaghetti and will truly be a family favorite. Serve with a side of garlic bread and air fryer broccoli for truly the most tasty, flavorful meal! 

Looking for more easy weeknight pasta recipes? Try my Rotini Pasta Bake, Healthy Chicken Alfredo or Lasagna Skillet!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Spaghetti Bolognese With Hidden Veggies

  • A super easy weeknight meal ready in just 30 minutes with great flavor that the whole family will love.
  • Great for meal prep! Serve with pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash!
  • Freezer-friendly! Can easily batch make this recipe and freeze for later.
  • Low carb and high protein! Made with pantry staples and minimal ingredients!
  • Super versatile! A favorite recipe of mine to use up all the fresh veggies.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Vegetables: carrots, celery, yellow onion.
  • Cooking essentials: olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning.
  • Ground beef– I used 96/4 lean ground beef.
  • Pasta sauce – I love Rao’s.
  • Half and half
  • For serving: cooked noodles of choice or spaghetti squash and parmesan cheese.

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations

  • Make dairy-free: use a dairy-free half and half (or milk of choice) or omit for a more tomato-based sauce. 
  • Switch up the veggies: add additional veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, etc.
  • Use a flavored pasta sauce: use a roasted garlic, tomato basil or vodka sauce for a fun variation of the flavor of the sauce. 
  • Sub for ground turkey or chicken: not a fan of beef? Use ground turkey or chicken for an easy swap! Or go a more traditional route with ground sausage! 
  • Different type noodles: use a fun shape pasta to make this dish fun! You can use regular, whole wheat, chickpea pasta, etc.
  • Lower carb option: swap the pasta noodles for spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
  • Add extra herbs: for additional flavor add extra fresh herbs like basil, parsley or bay leaves. 
  • Extra flavor: add a 1/2 cup of red wine like cabernet sauvignon for additional flavor! 

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

Veggies in a food porcessor before being mixed together.

1. Add the carrots, celery and onions to a food processor.

Chopped veggies in a food processor aftering being processed.

2. Pulse a few times until you have very fine pieces (be careful to stop before they turn into mush). If you don’t have a food processor, you can dice them very finely with a knife. 

Olive oil and garlic in a skillet.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Chopped veggies in a skilet with garlic and olive oil.

4. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Saute for about 5 minutes. 

Ground beef and veggies in a skillet.

5. Then add in the beef; season with salt and pepper.

Cooked ground beef and veggies in a skillet.

6. Cook and crumble until the beef is no longer pink. 

Pasta sauce added to the cooked ground beef mixture in a skillet.

7. When brown, add the pasta sauce and heavy cream.

Easy spaghetti bolognese in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

8. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with your favorite noodles (or spaghetti squash/zucchini noodles for lower carb). Top with parmesan cheese and a few red pepper flakes and enjoy! 

How To Store

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

This bolognese sauce freezes great! Just let bolognese cool completely then place in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, let thaw then reheat on stovetop until warmed through. 

Make In Bulk!

​Easily double or triple this recipe and freeze some for later!

To freeze, let bolognese cool completely then place in an airtight container or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, let thaw then reheat on stovetop until warmed through.

Easy spaghetti bolognese served over pasta on a plate.

FAQ: Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese With Hidden Veggies

What is the difference between spaghetti sauce and Bolognese sauce?

Bolognese and spaghetti sauce are both tomato based sauces. The main difference between bolognese sauce and traditional spaghetti sauce is that bolognese sauce is made with ground meat while spaghetti sauce is meatless. Traditional bolognese sauce is typically made with tomatoes, ground meat and vegetables. 

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of pasta sauce?

Sure! Feel free to use crushed tomatoes or homemade tomato sauce for this bolognese recipe if you wish. I chose to use Rao’s marinara sauce to keep this recipe super simple and easy and I truly love the flavor! It’s the secret ingredient that no one will guess but will make cooking so much quicker! 

Can I use frozen veggies for this recipe?

Yes! Easy dinners are the best and a great time saving hack is to use a bag of mixed frozen veggies when you need to make this recipe extra fast. Of course, the fresh veggies taste delicious (and this recipe is great to use up any extra veggies before going bad) but if you’re in a pinch, feel free to throw in your favorited bagged frozen veggies for an easy weeknight meal.

More Easy Weeknight Recipes To Try

Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish after being baked.

Easy Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake

Healthy skillet lasagna with a wooden spoon.

30 Minute Healthy Skillet Lasagna (One Pan)

Mushroom beef pasta in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

One Pot (30 minute!) Zucchini Mushroom Beef Pasta

Blackened chicken tenders on alfredo pasta on gray plate with fork.

Healthy Chicken Alfredo (Low Fat + High Protein)

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

Easy spaghetti bolognese served over pasta on a plate with a fork.
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5 from 11 votes

Easy Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese (with Hidden Veggies!)

? Gluten-Free ? High Protein ? Low Carb
This Easy Spaghetti Bolognese with Hidden Veggies is the ultimate, 30-minute weeknight dinner! Packed with tons of flavor and nutrients this meal will guarantee clean plates all around! This easy bolognese sauce can be served over your favorite pasta, spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles so there's a delicious option for everyone! 
Yield: 6
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Calories: 311kcal
Protein: 30g
Fat: 15.8g
Carbs: 9.6g

Ingredients

  • 2 medium carrots (130g)
  • 2 medium celery stalks (100g)
  • 1 large yellow onion (250g)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 lbs. lean ground beef 96/4
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 (24-oz.) jar good quality pasta sauce we love Rao’s
  • 1/2 cup half and half (120g)
  • cooked pasta like pappardelle, tagliatelle, fettuccine (any long noodle), for serving
  • grated parmesan cheese for serving

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Add the carrots, celery, and onions to a food processor and pulse a few times until you have very fine pieces (be careful to stop before they turn into mush). If you don't have a food processor, you can dice them very finely with a knife.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant then add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Saute for about 5 minutes.
  • Then add in the beef; season with salt and pepper. Cook and crumble until the beef is no longer pink.
  • When brown, add the pasta sauce and heavy cream. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite noodles (or spaghetti squash/zucchini noodles for lower carb). Top with parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Food processor optional

Notes

To make dairy-free: use a dairy-free half and half (or milk of choice) or omit for a more tomato-based sauce. 
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 
To freeze: let cool completely then place in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, let thaw then reheat on stovetop until warmed through. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1.25 cup (320g), Calories: 311kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 9.6g (3%), Protein: 30g (60%), Fat: 15.8g (24%), Saturated Fat: 1.8g (11%), Fiber: 2.3g (10%), Sugar: 6.5g (7%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

© Author: Lauren

Easy spaghetti bolognese served over pasta on a plate with a fork.

Did You Make This?

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Lauren

Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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Hey There!

I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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