It can make a big difference to the end result
15:01, 21 Sep 2025Updated 15:03, 21 Sep 2025
Spaghetti Bolognese is a family favourite(Image: Getty)
As autumn settles in and temperatures begin to drop, welcoming the snug new season typically means not just swapping out your wardrobe but also shifting your culinary preferences. During this period, many folk gravitate towards ‘warming’ and ‘comforting’ meals rather than lighter summer fare such as salads.
From broths, pastries, and curries to casseroles and risottos, there’s an abundance of ‘homely’ dining options to savour. Yet one choice that’s straightforward, budget-friendly, swift, and delicious is spaghetti bolognese.
This robust and satisfying dish isn’t complex to assemble and doesn’t require excessive time either. Conventionally, spaghetti bolognese features pasta crowned with a luxurious, slow-simmered ragu crafted from minced beef or mixed meats, a blend of diced carrots, celery, and onions, plus a modest quantity of tomatoes, enhanced with wine, and frequently milk or stock.
Typically, cooks will incorporate familiar seasonings such as garlic, bay leaves, and dried herbs like oregano for additional taste. It’s usually completed with a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese.
Nevertheless, according to one culinary expert, a single ingredient makes spaghetti bolognese “taste even better” and “look beautiful”, without requiring significant recipe modifications. Chef Jack Ovens, a professional cook boasting over 14 years of expertise in commercial kitchens “and a serious love for cooking”, suggests that simply incorporating sundried tomatoes into the mixture can create a remarkable difference, reports the Express.
Sun-dried tomatoes can add loads more flavour(Image: Getty)
Posting on YouTube with a video showcasing this technique, Jack delighted hundreds of followers by explaining the advantages of this ingredient, readily available in most shops.
In the comments section, one fan remarked: “This looks really delicious. I’ve never seen anyone add sundried tomatoes to bolognese before. That’s a clever idea, I love it.”
Another commented: “I love the idea of the addition of sundried tomatoes Jack! Looks as fabulous as ever.”
A third added: ” I love the idea of the addition of sundried tomatoes Jack! Looks as fabulous as ever.”
A fourth penned: ” Thanks for yet another awesome recipe Jack, never thought of adding sundried tomatoes before will give this a go!”.
In the clip’s description, the chef, who boasts 1.5 million followers, explains: “Learn how to make this beautiful, delicious, easy-to-make spaghetti bolognese. This recipe and the instructions are super easy to follow, and the end product is incredible.
“This bolognese recipe contains a few ingredients that are easily substituted or left out but I’ve included all of that in the commentary of this video. Once you try this recipe, you’ll never buy the store-bought sauce ever again. Trust.”
Ingredients in full are:.
How can sundried tomatoes make spaghetti bolognese ‘taste better’?
Adding sun-dried tomatoes to your spaghetti sauce can elevate the taste, giving both traditional marinara and cream-based sauces a rich, intense flavour. These tomatoes can be used whole, sliced or puréed, and pair well with ingredients like garlic, onions, basil, and various herbs.
If you’ve got sun-dried tomatoes in oil, don’t waste that oil!
Use it to sauté your garlic and onions for an added depth of flavour. Consider sautéing the sun-dried tomatoes along with your garlic and onions to soften them and enhance their taste before adding other sauce components.
For those who prefer a creamier sauce or a pesto, blending rehydrated or simply chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce is a great option. To rehydrate the sun-dried tomatoes, soak them in water, stock, or wine before stirring them into the sauce.
Dining and Cooking