Budget Sausage Bolognese is a lovely tasty budget meal that’s full of flavour, colour and very filling. This main dish for 4 people uses mainly store cupboard ingredients that are cheap and simple to cook with. I do like to use good sausages as it brings the whole dish together. However the red wine can be substituted with water or chicken stock.
Lets face it, when it comes to pasta dishes, few are as universally beloved as Bolognese. The rich, tomato-based sauce paired with perfectly cooked pasta is the epitome of comfort food. But what if you could enjoy all the indulgence of this Italian-inspired classic without the hefty price tag? Enter Budget Sausage Bolognese—a dish that proves delicious meals don’t have to break the bank.
At the heart of this recipe is a genius swap: using sausage meat instead of traditional beef or pork mince. Sausages, often pre-seasoned with herbs and spices, are an economical and flavour-packed alternative. By simply removing the sausage meat from its casing, you unlock a versatile ingredient that browns beautifully in a hot pan and forms the base of a deeply savoury sauce. Each bite carries the complex, smoky, and slightly spiced notes of high-quality sausage, giving this dish a character all its own.
What makes Budget Sausage Bolognese even more special is its balance of simplicity and sophistication. While the name might suggest a humble meal, the addition of a splash of red wine instantly elevates the sauce. It’s a small detail, but one that adds richness and depth, turning a quick dinner into something worthy of a weekend treat. The wine reduces down with the tomatoes and a dollop of tomato purée, creating a thick, velvety sauce that clings to the pasta beautifully.
One of the dish’s standout features is its subtle spice. A pinch of dried chilli flakes adds just the right amount of heat, creating a warmth that lingers without overwhelming the palate. Combined with the aromatic sweetness of oregano, it strikes a perfect balance that keeps you coming back for another forkful.
Another clever addition is the inclusion of fresh spinach, which is lightly steamed with the pasta just before serving. Not only does this add a burst of vibrant green to the plate, but it also boosts the dish’s nutritional profile. The spinach wilts gently, its earthiness complementing the richness of the sauce and cutting through its intensity.
Topped with a generous grating of Parmesan, this dish becomes a masterpiece of textures and flavours: the creamy cheese melting into the spicy, wine-infused sauce, the tender pasta, and the hearty chunks of sausage. It’s a meal that feels indulgent yet accessible, perfect for those nights when you want to treat yourself without straying from your weekly budget.
Budget Sausage Bolognese is proof that you can transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, this dish is sure to impress without causing stress. So pour yourself a glass of wine, grab a fork, and dive into a bowl of pure comfort.
Budget Sausage Bolognese
A simple dish that doesn't break the bank.
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Servings: 4 People
Calories: 744kcal
Ingredients
- 6 large sausages good quality
- 400 g chopped tomatoes
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
- 275 g spaghetti Tagliatelle, linguine etc
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 150 ml red wine drinkable
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Parmesan grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 100 g spinach fresh
Instructions
- Carefully slice along the sides of the sausage and remove the sausage meat. Discard the skins.6 large sausages
- Add the sausage meat to a frying pan over a medium high heat and cook for about 10 minutes breaking up any chunks with a wooden spatula. The sausage meat should be lightly browned.
- Add the tsp of chilli flakes and the onion and stir into the meat.1 tsp dried chilli flakes, 1 medium onion
- Add the tomatoes, puree, red wine and dried oregano and stir thoroughly.
- Fill a large saucepan with water and place over a high heat until it boils. Add a good pinch of salt and then the pasta. Cook according to the packet instructions.275 g spaghetti
- Once the pasta has cooked and has a lovely bite to it, drain into a colander over a sink. RETAIN a mug of the pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
- Return the pasta to the pan. Add a knob of butter or a little olive oil and then add the spinach. Add the lid and allow to keep warm and steam the spinach at the same time.1 tbsp olive oil, 100 g spinach
- Serve the pasta and spinach into warmed bowls and top with the sausage Bolognese sauce. Grate parmesan on top and enjoy.Parmesan
Nutrition
Calories: 744kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 991mg | Potassium: 933mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2751IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 5mg
20 comments
Such a sensible budget saving during difficult times.
The sausage meat is a clever and cost-effective substitute for beef mince, and the result is packed with flavour. I loved how the sauce thickened with the tomato purée and red wine—it coated the pasta perfectly.
The Parmesan is a must for that final savoury kick.
This Budget Sausage Bolognese is a revelation! The use of sausage meat instead of traditional mince adds an incredible depth of flavour, and the touch of red wine makes it feel indulgent without breaking the bank.
I served this with tagliatelle, and it worked perfectly.
The sausage meat makes the sauce rich and filling, while the spinach adds a healthy touch without overpowering the dish. My kids loved the slight hint of spice from the chilli flakes, and it wasn’t too overpowering for their tastes.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants restaurant-quality pasta at home without the hefty price tag.
This recipe ticks all the boxes: it’s quick, affordable, and tastes incredible. The sausage meat browns beautifully, creating a rich base for the sauce. The red wine and oregano give it a depth of flavour that feels luxurious, even though it’s so simple to make
The sausage meat cooks quickly and pairs so well with the tomato-based sauce. The chilli flakes add a nice kick, but it’s not overwhelming. The spinach adds a touch of freshness, making the dish feel balanced.
The Budget Sausage Bolognese is everything you’d want on a cold evening—warm, hearty, and full of bold flavours.
I loved how straightforward this recipe was to follow. Removing the sausage meat from the casings was a brilliant idea—it adds so much flavour compared to regular mince.
The chilli flakes provide just the right amount of heat, balancing the richness of the sauce beautifully. I particularly loved how the spinach is steamed directly with the pasta—it’s a simple trick that makes the dish feel fresh and vibrant.
The addition of spinach adds a pop of colour and nutrients, while the grated Parmesan on top ties everything together.
I’ll definitely be making this again—quick, easy, and utterly delicious.
Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something hearty but affordable.
This dish delivers flavours that taste like they’ve been simmering for hours, but it all comes together in under 30 minutes.
The red wine elevates the sauce, while the oregano and chilli flakes add warmth and complexity. I appreciated the simplicity of the recipe—no fancy ingredients, just pantry staples and fresh produce.
I was skeptical about using sausage meat instead of minced beef, but wow, this recipe blew me away! The sausage meat brings a slightly smoky and savoury edge to the sauce, making it far more interesting than a traditional Bolognese.
It’s a great recipe for busy weeknights when you want something quick, satisfying, and easy to customise.
This recipe proves you don’t need expensive ingredients to make an incredible meal.