What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti Bolognese? 18 Veggies

Have you ever wondered what vegetables go with spaghetti bolognese?

It turns out there is quite a lot of vegetables that go well with it!

The most common is to serve it with fresh peas, carrots and zucchini.

In addition to these, you can also try to serve it with roasted potatoes, baked potatoes, or even grilled vegetables.

So, if you love spaghetti bolognese then you should definitely check out these veggies that taste great with this dish (also check out these spaghetti bolognese side dishes).

I’ve compiled a great list of 18 vegetables that taste delicious with spaghetti bolognese.

Let’s get to it!

Read Also: What Wine Goes With Spaghetti Bolognese? (10 Best Wines)

What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti Bolognese? 18 Veggies

Spaghetti Bolognese is a hearty and comforting dish that goes great with a variety of vegetables.

From the tomato sauce, to the meat, to the cheese, there is so much to love.

One of the best vegetable options for the dish is a combination of broccoli and carrots.

Both of these vegetables are hearty, filling, and are sure to make your meal even more delicious.

See Also: 11 Best Substitutes for Red Wine in Bolognese

1. Carrots

Carrots are one of the best vegetables for bolognese.

They taste delicious when cooked in the sauce, and they go well with all kinds of pasta dishes.

You can find carrots at most grocery stores or farmer’s markets. 

2. Zucchini

If you have a high-speed blender, you can make zucchini spaghetti and use that as a substitute for pasta.

This is a great way to get in more vegetables with your meal!

3. Spinach

You’ll be amazed at how well the spinach mixes in with the rest of the spaghetti bolognese.

This is because it’s a vegetable that you can hardly taste, but still adds some great flavor!

4. Mushrooms

If you’re looking for a way to add some umami flavor to your spaghetti bolognese, mushrooms are an amazing choice.

The earthy flavors of the mushrooms will complement the richness of the meat sauce, and their texture is similar enough to the ground beef that they won’t be overpowering.

You can try slicing them up and adding them raw, or sauté them first with a little butter and garlic to bring out their flavor.

No matter what option you choose, mushrooms are sure to make your spaghetti bolognese even better.

5. Cauliflower

This vegetable goes great in bolognese sauce because it’s an incredibly versatile vegetable which can be cooked in a variety of ways.

It’s also very healthy! You can steam or roast cauliflower, and then add it to your pasta dish.

This will give your meal a nice crunchy texture, as well as making it healthier than just eating plain spaghetti noodles!

6. Broccoli

I like my broccoli steamed, so I would recommend doing that before adding it to your sauce.

Just throw it in at the end and mix everything together for about one minute before serving; this will give you an extra crunchy texture which tastes great too!

7. Asparagus

Asparagus is a delicious vegetable that goes well in any dish.

It adds an interesting and unique flavor to your spaghetti bolognese that will have your guests coming back for more!

8. Kale

This is one of the more popular choices for adding to spaghetti bolognese – and for good reason too!

It adds a fresh, green flavor to the dish and pairs well with just about any other ingredient.

Kale can be used raw or cooked so feel free to experiment with how you’d like your kale in this dish!

Just make sure not overcooking them as they will lose their crunchy texture which makes them so appealing when eating raw.

You can also add some nuts to give an extra crunchy texture if desired (such as walnuts).

9. Bell peppers

Bell peppers are my favorite vegetable because they taste so good when cooked properly!

Bell peppers add a nice sweetness to the sauce which complements the savoriness from mushrooms or asparagus perfectly!

10. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a great addition to any spaghetti bolognese recipe, especially if it’s made with fresh tomatoes.

They add a nice touch of color and sweetness to the dish.

11. Eggplant

This is just a great vegetable to have in your bolognese because it works well with the other flavors in the dish.

You can use it as a substitute for meat or simply add some chopped up eggplant into your dish.

12. Peas

Peas are a very popular choice when it comes to spaghetti bolognese.

The sweet and subtle flavor of the peas is the perfect compliment to the tangy Italian flavor of the bolognese!

Peas also add a nice little crunch when you bite into them which adds another layer of texture to your dish.

They’re easy to prepare as well – just cook them until they’re tender but not mushy (about 10-15 minutes).

You can even throw in some diced tomatoes or finely chopped onion if you want more flavor!

Just remember to stir regularly so everything cooks evenly and doesn’t burn on one side while remaining raw on the other side.

13. Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a great addition to spaghetti dishes.

They add a hearty, earthy flavor that’s sure to please every palate at your table—and they’re also packed with healthy nutrients and vitamins!

14. Celery

Celery is a great way to add a bit of crunch and an extra layer of flavor and depth to your spaghetti bolognese.

It’s also known for being very low in calories which is great if you’re trying to lose weight!

If you’re on a diet then celery might just be the perfect vegetable for you, because it won’t add any fat or cholesterol into your diet, but will still taste delicious when mixed with spaghetti sauce and meatballs.

15. Green beans

They’re crisp and crunchy, and they add some texture to your spaghetti dinner.

The green beans (See Also: 42 recipes using canned green beans) will work wonderfully as long as they’re cooked thoroughly and blanched before adding them to the sauce.

16. Onions

You can either grate your onion and mix it into the sauce or cook it whole and then remove it from the pot once it has softened enough to eat.

Either way, onion adds plenty of flavor to any spaghetti bolognese dish!

17. Artichokes

These are another great vegetable because they’re so easy to prepare!

You just need to boil them for about 2 minutes until tender then season them with salt and pepper before adding them into your sauce.

I also like using asparagus instead of artichokes when making this dish because both veggies are high in fiber which helps keep you full longer after eating so they really help keep me full while enjoying my meal too (especially since there’s often times leftovers).

18. Corn

Corn is another great vegetable that can be added to your spaghetti bolognese.

It adds a bit of sweetness to the dish and some nice crunch.

How to Choose Vegetables That Go Well with Spaghetti Bolognese

It’s not just the pasta that makes a really good spaghetti bolognese—it’s the sauce and the vegetables, too.

Here are 3 tips for choosing the right vegetables to make your spaghetti bolognese recipe stand out from the rest:

1. Choose Color

When you’re shopping for vegetables to put in your spaghetti bolognese, think about color.

Vegetables like red onions, carrots, yellow cherry tomatoes, and even red bell peppers can make your dish look more vibrant and colorful.

And if you’re into it?

These vegetables also taste great in spaghetti bolognese—the onions add sweetness and depth of flavor, while the carrots give it a crunchy texture that goes well with softer veggies like zucchini.

2. Use vegetables you like

Choose vegetables that taste good to YOU.

It doesn’t matter what the recipe says or what your Italian grandmother uses—if you don’t like it, don’t use it.

The best recipe is one that you’ll actually make and enjoy!

3. Use vegetables that pair well with tomatoes

Tomatoes are a key ingredient in any spaghetti bolognese recipe, and if you’re not using tomatoes (and flavorings like tomato paste or tomato sauce), this might not be a good recipe for you.

But if you are using tomatoes, then make sure you consider how they pair with other ingredients.

6 Reasons You Should Put Vegetables in Spaghetti Bolognese

When most people think of spaghetti bolognese, they think of a big bowl of spaghetti covered in beef sauce.

But they’re missing out on one of the best parts: the vegetables!

Here are 6 reasons why you should add more veggies to your sauce:

1. It can help you save money on groceries

Vegetables are the cheapest way to bulk up meals and make them last longer, which means they’re great for adding to spaghetti bolognese if you’re looking to cut down on your grocery budget.

And if you’re cooking for a crowd, vegetables are also a great way to make sure you have enough food without having to spend too much money at once!

2. It will help increase your fiber intake

The average American only gets about 15 grams of fiber per day when they should be getting 25-35 grams per day according to some nutritionists, so adding vegetables into their diet is one way that people can increase their fiber intake without having to eat more meat or grains than usual.

3. It’s good for you!

Adding vegetables to your meal makes it healthier and more nutritious.

Just one serving of this dish gives you half of your daily recommended fiber intake, as well as almost all of your daily recommended vitamin C intake.

4. It’s versatile

You can use any vegetables that you like in this recipe, so it never has to get boring!

Try adding new vegetables each time you make it to keep it fresh, or experiment with different spices and herbs to change up the flavor!

5. It’s delicious!

Vegetables give this dish a great texture and make it taste amazing.

The tomato sauce complements the natural sweetness of the carrots, while the squash gives it a lovely creaminess that balances out its acidity.

6. It looks great

Adding some diced red bell pepper to your sauce not only makes it taste better, it makes it look amazing!

The bright red and green colors will pop against the brown color of the beef and tomato.