When the clock is ticking on a busy weeknight, even the children of celebrity chefs reach for a trusted, comforting classic. Tilly Ramsay, the daughter of famed chef Gordon Ramsay, has revealed her ultimate go-to dinner for such moments: a hearty spaghetti bolognese with a very British twist.
The University Lifeline Turned Weeknight Winner
In a recent TikTok video that has amassed over 518,300 views, Tilly shared that this dish was her "weeknight staple" and a lifeline during her university studies. She described it as "packed full of veg, so delicious, and super easy to do." The recipe, reported by the Express, includes all the usual suspects: carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beef mince, pancetta, tinned tomatoes, and beef stock.
However, it's her final flourish that has sparked conversation online. On December 29, 2025, Tilly told her followers that her "favourite" addition is a tablespoon of Marmite.
Marmite: The Divisive Flavour Bomb
This yeasty spread is famously a love-it-or-hate-it ingredient, but in cooking, it acts as a powerful umami booster. Tilly uses it to add a salty, savoury depth and a rich, meaty note to her bolognese sauce, much like a stock cube would. The revelation prompted a lively debate in the comments section of her video, which also received 29,200 likes and 113 responses.
While one viewer simply commented "Not marmite....", others were enthusiastic. User Whiskey Fever agreed: "Marmite is banging. I add to loads of my dishes." Another fan, Bianca, said: "Omg this looks AMAZING, someone told me only recently about the marmite, can't wait to try."
How to Make Tilly Ramsay's Spaghetti Bolognese
If you're tempted to try this cosy creation for yourself, here is how to recreate Tilly's recipe at home.
Ingredients:
- Three large carrots
- One large white onion
- Three celery sticks
- Two garlic cloves
- 500g beef mince
- 65g of pancetta (optional)
- One tin of chopped tomatoes
- 500ml of beef stock
- Two tbsp of tomato pureé
- One tbsp of Marmite
- Spaghetti
- Cheddar cheese, to serve
Method:
- Finely dice the carrots, celery, onion and garlic. Soften them in a large pan with a drizzle of olive oil.
- In a separate pan, brown the beef mince in a little oil, then combine it with the softened vegetables.
- If using, crisp the pancetta and add it to the pan.
- Stir through the tomato purée, followed by the tinned tomatoes, beef stock, and the key ingredient: the tablespoon of Marmite.
- Season with salt and pepper, then leave the sauce to simmer gently for around 30 minutes.
- Serve the rich bolognese over cooked spaghetti and finish with a hearty sprinkling of cheddar cheese.
This recipe proves that with one surprising store-cupboard staple, a simple midweek meal can be transformed into a deeply savoury and satisfying feast. Whether you're a Marmite lover or a sceptic, its power to elevate a sauce is a chef's secret worth trying.
