Craving a comforting plate of spaghetti bolognese without the heaviness? This easy, flavorful version trims calories and adds color by blending traditional pasta with vegetable “spaghetti,” making weeknight cooking faster and more nutritious.
Ingredients for two: what to prepare
Gather simple, fresh items. Quantities are scaled for two people.
- 200 g cooked spaghetti
- 2 medium carrots
- 200 g lean minced meat (about 5% fat)
- 250 g prepared tomato sauce
- 1 onion
- 40 g mozzarella, grated
How to lighten bolognese without losing flavor
Chef and dietitian tips focus on texture and balance. The key is to add vegetables that mimic pasta shape.
Mix regular spaghetti with carrot noodles to cut calories and boost vegetable intake. The carrots add color and freshness without sacrificing the comforting mouthfeel of a classic bolognese.
You can use a vegetable peeler or spiralizer. In spring and summer, try the same trick with zucchini.
Quick step-by-step cooking guide
- Peel the carrots and turn them into thin ribbons or spirals using a peeler or spiralizer.
- Blanch the carrot ribbons 1–2 minutes in boiling water, then drain and set aside.
- Dice the onion finely.
- Heat a skillet, soften the onion until translucent.
- Add the lean minced meat and cook until browned.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, season to taste, and simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the blanched carrot noodles.
- Fold the bolognese into the pasta-vegetable mix until coated.
- Finish by sprinkling 40 g of grated mozzarella on top before serving.
Cooking tips to save time
- Use a jarred tomato sauce you like to speed things up.
- Brown the meat in batches for better caramelization.
- If you don’t have a spiralizer, a vegetable peeler makes long, thin carrot strips.
Variations, swaps and serving suggestions
Keep the recipe flexible to match seasons and tastes.
- Swap carrots for zucchini or sweet potato ribbons.
- Replace mozzarella with grated Parmesan for a sharper finish.
- For a vegetarian option, use crumbled tofu or lentils in place of meat.
- Serve with a simple side salad and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
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