Spaghetti bolognese is one of Ireland's most-cooked family dinners — and for good reason. It's quick, filling, and feeds four for well under €10 if you shop right. Here's what it actually costs at each Irish supermarket.
Ingredients you'll need
- •500g beef mince
- •500g spaghetti
- •2 tins of chopped tomatoes
- •1 onion
- •3 garlic cloves
- •2 tbsp tomato purée
- •Salt, pepper, and a pinch of mixed herbs
- •Parmesan or cheddar to serve (optional)
What it costs at each store
Based on our live price data, beef mince is typically the most variable ingredient across stores — it's worth checking all three before you shop. Pasta and tinned tomatoes are very close in price across Tesco, Dunnes and SuperValu, so buy those wherever is convenient.
Pro tip
Own-brand beef mince is usually the same quality as branded — look for 20% fat for flavour. Dunnes and Tesco own-brand are both solid.
How to make it (45 minutes)
- •Fry diced onion in olive oil on medium heat for 5 minutes until soft
- •Add garlic and cook for another minute
- •Add beef mince — break it up and cook until browned (8–10 min)
- •Stir in tomato purée, cook for 2 minutes
- •Add both tins of chopped tomatoes, season well, simmer on low for 20 minutes
- •Cook spaghetti according to packet instructions
- •Serve with grated cheese on top
Make it cheaper
- •Swap half the mince for red lentils — same texture, half the cost, more fibre
- •Buy mince in a bigger pack and freeze half for next week
- •Own-brand spaghetti and tinned tomatoes are just as good as branded
Get the full price breakdown
Our AI planner shows live prices for every bolognese ingredient across all major stores — so you know exactly where to shop.
Price up my bolognese →