How to boost flavour in my bolognese?

[JonSnowKnowsNowt]

I have been making bland bolognese for years in order that the DC will eat it. It is nice, healthy, but a bit ... bland. They're getting more adventurous in their tastes now, so I think I can have a go at boosting flavour. What should I add?

I make it with

• good quality mince (lamb or beef)
  
• onions/leeks & garlic
  
• mushrooms
  
• red peppers
  
• carrots
  
• a small amount of pasta
  
• a small amount of stock (with a stock cube or homemade if I happen to have it)
  
• black pepper (not salt)
  

What should I add?

[JonSnowKnowsNowt]

Bloody autocorrect.
PASSATA!!! Not pasta, obvs.

[Longdistance]

Worcester sauce?

[SaucyJack]

Red wine.

[bluesky]

ditto the lea & perrins

[DamnBamboo]

Red wine
Mixed herbs

[Seeline]

I always use a good sprinkling of mixed herbs. I also add tomato puree and chopped celery which adds to the savoury flavour.

[Lj8893]

Little bit of sugar. I always thought I was weird that I did that, until I met Dh who is a chef and the first time I saw him make spag Bol he put sugar in I too!

Oh and a dash of balsamic vinegar, but less is more!

[Moregravyplease]

Red wine and basil and oregano, plus possibly an anchovy or two.

[DeathMetalMum]

Smoked bacon / pancetta ?

[ampersandand]

I add a teaspoon of marmite to mine.

[Moodyblue1]

I always add Worcester sauce, sometimes red wine and I use tomato purée & oregano as well

[LongDistanceLove]

Apparently coffee

[Moopsboopsmum]

Brown sugar, tomato ketchup, porcini

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

According to Sainsburys, some instant coffee

[goodasitgets]

I make mine with the same ingredients but also celery, tomato purée and pancetta

[Pointlessfan]

I add a teaspoon of Marmite and a teaspoon of pesto.

[Disastronaut]

Finely chopped carrots, celery & onions. I know it doesn't sound like it, but these are the things that give proper depth of flavour. You can even buy them all ready chopped together in a bag to add to soups and sauces. It works, I promise.

[MrsBojingles]

Worcester sauce and a couple bay leaves

[Purplepoodle]

Garlic fried with onions
Worcester sauce
Basil or mixed herbs
Tom puree stirred in near end.

helps if you make it the night before and let it sit overnight

[Bottlecap]

Red wine

A stock cube (this upsets the purists, but I always put a lamb cube in).

I make mine with lamb, have you ever tried that?

Chilli/turmeric

Definitely celery, or celery salt.

[ArmySal]

Balsamic vinegar. I also fry some chopped smoky bacon with the onions and garlic. Do you use oregano?

[Icyalittle]

A spoonful of Sun-dried tomato paste here.

[BitOutOfPractice]

Well it is going to be bland if there's no flavouring in it isn't it?

Garlic - essential (I see you do use it but add more)
Salt - essential - it doesn't have to be loads but it's essential
Herbs - also essential

What you're making isn't bolognoase. It's...mince!

[19lottie82]

Right, I know everyone will shoot me down for this, BUT I do like to cook from scratch and I have tried all sorts of recipes for spag Bol but I find it never tastes as good as when I cook it with a jar of sauce, usually the sainsburies stuff with the green label. Saying that I do add lots of extras like a wee by of chorizo or bacon, diced onion, a sprinkling of paprika, some extra basil / oregano

[maybebabybee]

Oh god, salt. How do people not salt their food :S