Spaghetti Bolognese
The most famous home-cooked dish in the world: spaghetti crowned with a ragù of minced meat and slow-cooked tomatoes. The great balance of meat protein, tomato fibre and antioxidants gives it good metabolic stability with a moderate glycemic index (≈50), making it a safe, filling choice when the portion is controlled.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Flip the usual plate: make the meat-and-vegetable sauce very generous (about two-thirds of the plate) with a moderate amount of pasta, for more fullness and less starch.
Best preparation methods
Add grated carrot, chopped mushrooms and finely chopped celery to the tomato sauce while it cooks; the vegetables boost the flavour and the fibre without changing the taste you love.
Important Nutritional Note
Cooking tomato sauce with olive oil and meat greatly increases the absorption of the antioxidant lycopene, which makes this dish supportive of healthy blood vessels when salt is kept moderate.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (300 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 182 kcal | 546 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g | 24 g |
| Carbohydrate | 27 g | 81 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 24.2 g | 72.6 g |
| Fat | 5 g | 15 g |
| Dietary fibre | 2.8 g | 8.4 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Italian dishes with a glycemic index (9), it ranks 4 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Spaghetti Bolognese good for weight loss?
It can fit a balanced plan with portion control: a 300 g portion gives 546 kcal, and what matters most is your total daily intake and the rest of the meal.
How does Spaghetti Bolognese affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 50 (Low), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 300 g portion has a glycemic load of 36.3 (High), so it is best to reduce or split the portion and combine it with protein and fibre.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Spaghetti Bolognese?
A typical 300 g portion of Spaghetti Bolognese provides about 546 kcal, 24 g protein, 81 g carbohydrate, 15 g fat and 8.4 g fibre.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.