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Bolognese hotpot

Close-up of golden-brown potatoes in a pan, with a serving spoon lifting a crispy slice. Garnished with herbs, warm and savory mood.

By Tom · Updated

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  • Serves 6
  • About 2 hours 15 min
  • Easy

I took a classic Bolognese sauce and gave it a proper British twist-by turning it into a hearty hotpot feast. That's right, I combined rich, meaty Italian Bolognese with the comforting layers of potato to make a traditional British hotpot.

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The recipe

Bolognese hotpot

I took a classic Bolognese sauce and gave it a proper British twist-by turning it into a hearty hotpot feast.

  • Serves 6
  • 20 min prep
  • 55 min cooking
  • 1 hour hands-off
  • Easy

Times and difficulty are our estimates from the method, not stopwatch figures.

Scale
6 servings
Measurements

Ingredients

Bolognese sauce

The potato topping

Tick things off as you go — they stay ticked if you close the page.

A dotted underline means the amount has been rounded to something you can measure.

Method

  1. Step 1

    Place a large sauté pan or pot over medium-low heat and drizzle in the olive oil (30 ml). Then, add the diced onion (1 onion), carrot (1), and celery (1 celery), followed by a pinch of salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic (2 garlic) and cook for 1 more minute.

  2. Step 2

    Next, add the pork and beef mince (750 g) and cook until browned. Add the tomato puree (30 g) and mix it before pouring in the beef stock (500 ml). You can also add some red wine here if you like. Bring it to a simmer and add in the tomato passata or chopped tomatoes (500 g). Season with salt and pepper, cover and leave to simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    After 30 minutes, create an even layer of potatoes (600 g) on top of the bolognese sauce and brush with the melted butter (80 g). Spread out the sliced garlic (2 garlic), thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper. Repeat until you have used up all of the potato.

  4. Step 4

    Place into a preheated oven at 190°C Fan for 50 minutes until golden and crisp on top. Serve and enjoy.

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Questions people ask

How long does bolognese hotpot take?

About 2 hours 15 min from start to finish: 20 min of prep, 55 min of cooking, and 1 hour hands-off while it waits. That figure is worked out from the method rather than timed with a stopwatch, so give yourself a little more the first time.

How many does it serve, and can I change that?

As written it serves 6. Use the scale control on the recipe card to change it: every quantity in the ingredients and inside the method steps updates with it. Seasoning, and anything measured in pinches or splashes, is deliberately left alone.

Can I see the ingredients in ounces and pints?

Yes. The metric and imperial switch on the recipe card converts every quantity, rounded to amounts you can actually weigh or measure rather than to four decimal places. Your choice is remembered for every recipe on the site.