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?

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

Worcester sauce?

Red wine.

ditto the lea & perrins

Red wine
Mixed herbs

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

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!

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

Smoked bacon / pancetta ?

I add a teaspoon of marmite to mine.

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

Apparently coffee

Brown sugar, tomato ketchup, porcini

According to Sainsburys, some instant coffee

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

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

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.

Worcester sauce and a couple bay leaves

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

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.

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

A spoonful of Sun-dried tomato paste here.

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!

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

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