Cheesy Bolognese Hotpot
There are certain dishes that bring instant comfort, wrapping you in warmth with every bite. For my family, this Cheesy Bolognese Hotpot is one of those meals. It started on a chilly evening when I wanted something different from our usual pasta night—something hearty, rich, and satisfying but still simple enough for a busy weeknight. What I ended up with was a dish that quickly became a regular request at our dinner table.
What makes this hotpot so special? The layers of crispy, golden potatoes, bubbling cheese, and a deeply flavorful Bolognese sauce make for a dish that feels indulgent yet is incredibly easy to make. It’s the kind of meal that fills the house with a mouthwatering aroma, drawing everyone into the kitchen long before it’s ready.
The best part? It’s a fantastic way to make a little ground beef stretch into a filling meal. My kids love the gooey cheese on top, my husband appreciates the hearty meat sauce, and I love how effortlessly it all comes together. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra veggies without anyone noticing.
This recipe is pure comfort food—perfect for those nights when you need something cozy and satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So, if you’re looking for a dish that will have your family asking for seconds (and thirds), give this a try. I promise, once you do, it’ll become a staple in your home just like it did in mine!
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the hotpot earlier in the day and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?
Yes! Sweet potatoes will add a slightly different flavor, but they caramelize beautifully in the oven and pair well with the Bolognese sauce.
What cheese works best?
A mix of mozzarella and cheddar gives you the best of both worlds—melty stretchiness from the mozzarella and rich, sharp flavor from the cheddar.
How can I make this vegetarian?
Swap the ground beef for lentils or a plant-based meat alternative, and you’ll have a delicious meat-free version of this dish.
What You Need to Make Cheesy Bolognese Hotpot
Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
3 large potatoes, thinly sliced
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup milk
Special Equipment:
Oven-safe skillet or baking dish
Mandoline or sharp knife for slicing potatoes thinly
How to Make Cheesy Bolognese Hotpot
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish lightly with olive oil.
Prepare the Bolognese sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
Brown the meat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add the tomatoes and seasoning. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Layer the potatoes. Arrange a layer of thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon half of the Bolognese sauce over the potatoes.
Repeat the layers. Add another layer of potatoes, followed by the remaining sauce. Top with one final layer of potatoes.
Add the cheese and milk. Pour the milk evenly over the top, then sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over everything.
Bake until golden. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let it rest. Allow the hotpot to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Cheesy Bolognese Hotpot
Use a mandoline for even potato slices. This helps the layers cook evenly and creates a beautiful presentation.
Let the sauce simmer. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor.
Add a crunchy topping. If you love extra texture, sprinkle some breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan on top before baking.
Make it spicy. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Reader Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Absolutely delicious! My kids asked for seconds, and even my picky eater loved it!” – Sarah M.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Such a comforting meal! I prepped everything earlier in the day and just popped it in the oven when we were ready to eat.” – James L.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Great recipe! Next time, I might add a bit more garlic for extra flavor.” – Emily R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Perfect for busy weeknights. The cheese on top gets perfectly crispy and golden!” – Megan T.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I swapped the beef for lentils, and it was still amazing! Will definitely make this again.” – Rachel D.
Printable Recipe
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Cheesy Bolognese Hotpot
Rich Bolognese sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy families looking for an easy yet indulgent dinner option!
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup milk
- Special Equipment:
- Oven-safe skillet or baking dish
- Mandoline or sharp knife for slicing potatoes thinly
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish lightly with olive oil.
- Prepare the Bolognese sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
- Brown the meat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the tomatoes and seasoning. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Layer the potatoes. Arrange a layer of thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon half of the Bolognese sauce over the potatoes.
- Repeat the layers. Add another layer of potatoes, followed by the remaining sauce. Top with one final layer of potatoes.
- Add the cheese and milk. Pour the milk evenly over the top, then sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over everything.
- Bake until golden. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it rest. Allow the hotpot to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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