Forget expensive camping food pouches. A homemade dehydrated pasta
bolognese costs a fraction of the price, tastes far better and takes
just minutes to prepare at camp. This is the ultimate camping dinner.
Why Dehydrate Your Own Camping Meals?
Shop bought dehydrated camping meals are convenient but expensive,
often bland and packed with salt and additives. Making your own at
home with the Ezidri FD1000 gives you a genuinely nutritious,
delicious meal that weighs almost nothing in your pack.
What You'll Need
- 500g lean beef mince
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 300g pasta — penne or fusilli work best
How to Make Dehydrated Pasta Bolognese
Prepare at home:
1. Cook pasta until just al dente — slightly undercooked
is better as it will rehydrate fully at camp
2. Drain and rinse with cold water, set aside
3. Brown mince in a pan, drain off all excess fat
4. Add onion and garlic, cook until softened
5. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and oregano
6. Simmer for 20 minutes until thick and reduced
7. Mix cooked pasta through the bolognese sauce
8. Allow to cool completely
Dehydrate:
1. Preheat Ezidri FD1000 to 60°C
2. Spread mixture evenly onto solid sheets
approximately 5mm thick
3. Dry at 60°C for 8 to 10 hours until completely
dried and no moisture remains
4. Break into pieces and store in airtight bags
At camp:
1. Place dehydrated meal in a pot or directly in the bag
2. Add boiling water to just cover
3. Stir well, cover and leave for 10 minutes
4. Stir again and serve — add more water if needed
Storage
Store in airtight bags in a cool dry place for up to 3 months.
Vacuum seal for longer trips of up to 6 months.
Tips for Best Results
- Remove every trace of fat from the mince before dehydrating —
fat goes rancid and will shorten shelf life significantly
- Make the sauce slightly more seasoned than normal —
flavours mellow during dehydration
- Label bags with the amount of water needed for rehydration
- The Ezidri FD1000's 30 tray capacity means you can make
an entire expedition's worth of meals in one session
Want to make more dehydrated camping meals? Visit our
Camping and Hiking page for more ideas and inspiration.