Hidden Veg Spag Bol illustration Hidden Veg Spag Bol

A family classic with hidden veggies
👨‍👩‍👧 Serves 4
⏱ 40 mins
💷 ~£5.10
🎚 Easy

You'll Need

  • 500g beef mince
  • 300g spaghetti
  • 500g passata
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed (or garlic granules)
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1 courgette, grated
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar (optional but good)
  • Salt & black pepper

Optional Extras

MushroomsSpinachParmesanMixed herbs

Make It Your Own

Swap beef mince for meat-free mince (similar price, often cheaper). Tinned tomatoes work instead of passata.

Serve With

Garlic bread and a corn on the cob (frozen cobettes are great value and keep well in the freezer)

Let's Cook

  1. Heat the oil and soften the onion for 5 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute — this builds the base flavour of the sauce.
  2. Add the mince and brown it well.
  3. Stir in the grated carrot and courgette.
  4. Stir in the passata, Worcestershire sauce (if using), herbs and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rich and thickened.
  6. Cook spaghetti to packet instructions and serve together, with a scattering of fresh herbs if you have them.
🎯 Family Challenge: Can you guess which vegetables are hiding in the sauce?

Little Helpers

3–5: Stir and sprinkle cheese.
6–9: Measure pasta.
10+: Grate vegetables, supervised.

Top Tips

💙 Grate veg very finely so it blends in.💰 Frozen diced onion and frozen grated veg both work and cut prep time.♻️ Double the sauce and freeze half.

Healthy Highlights

  • Hidden vegetables
  • Lean protein
  • Source of fibre