Baked potato with venison Bolognese sauce
Servings: 4
Prep time: approx. 10 min.
Cooking time: approx. 60 - 70 min.
Autumn in Lithuania is inseparable from potatoes – they are at their tastiest right now, so of course, they feature in our recipes. A baked potato with "Laukinių skonių" Bolognese sauce with venison is a hearty, delicious, and incredibly simple dish to prepare. The oven does most of the work, and the ready-made Bolognese sauce allows you to finish dinner quickly and without additional preparation.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 medium to large potatoes
- 500g "Laukinių skonių" Bolognese sauce with venison
- A drizzle of olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh herbs or microgreens for serving
- Grated cheese, for a richer option

INSTRUCTIONS
Baking the potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Since they will be baked and served with the skin on, scrub the skin well.
- Prick each potato several times with a fork.
- Lightly drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, rub in a little salt, and arrange them on a baking tray.
- Bake for about 50–60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. The baked potatoes should be completely soft – a knife or fork should slide in easily.
Preparing and gratinating the potatoes
- Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Cut a cross on top of each potato, but do not cut all the way through.
- Gently squeeze the potato from the sides to open it up, and lightly fluff the flesh with a fork.
- Generously fill each potato with the prepared "Laukinių skonių" Bolognese sauce with venison.
- Return the stuffed potatoes to the 200 °C oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the sauce is well heated.
- For a richer option, you can sprinkle grated cheese over the potatoes before gratinating them briefly.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Serve the baked potatoes hot, sprinkled with fresh herbs or microgreens.
- Baked potato and rich venison Bolognese sauce is a hearty combination, so no additional side dish is needed. If you want some freshness, a fresh vegetable or leafy salad would be a perfect accompaniment.
WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
A medium-bodied, fruity red wine with pleasant acidity would pair best with oven-baked potato and venison Bolognese sauce. Sangiovese or Chianti would be an excellent choice – their refreshing acidity and red berry notes beautifully complement the tomato-based Bolognese sauce. Barbera, with its juicy fruitiness and lighter structure, would also be suitable.