Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
If you’re looking for a rich, hearty dinner that tastes like it simmered all day, this Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is one of those favorite recipes you’ll come back to again and again. This slow cooker version takes a classic bolognese sauce recipe and makes it doable for busy days without giving up that incredible flavour. It’s a tomato-based sauce loaded with ground beef, pork, and simple ingredients you can grab at any grocery store. The best part is how it fills your home with that cozy, slow cooking aroma while your crock pot does most of the work. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a meal the whole family will love.
Yes! Ground turkey works well if you want a lighter option, though the traditional bolognese sauce uses a mix of meats.
The wine adds depth, but you can substitute with beef broth or a stock cube mixed with water.
Spaghetti bolognese is classic, but this hearty bolognese sauce is also great with rigatoni or penne.
Substitutions
Ground Meat: Swap ground beef or pork for ground turkey or even ground chicken.
Half and Half: Use heavy cream or whole milk if needed.
Red Wine: Replace with beef broth for an alcohol-free option.
Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to your liking.
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Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the ground beef and ground pork. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until browned. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- In the same large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot, cooking for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant. Add tomato paste and stir until all the vegetables are coated. This step builds that deep, traditional bolognese sauce flavor and is worth the extra few minutes.
- Transfer the cooked meat and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker insert (you can use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup).
- Add crushed tomatoes, red wine, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, stir in the half and half. Continue cooking for another 2 hours on medium-low heat or HIGH depending on your crock pot.
- Remove bay leaves and serve the sauce over pasta. Top with parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
- Store for later, or serve right away with your favorite pasta!
Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 ribs celery finely chopped
- 1 large carrot finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 TBSP tomato paste
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 56 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup dry red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 cup half and half room temperature
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Pasta of choice for serving
- Optional: fresh parsley and parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the ground beef and ground pork. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until browned. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- In the same large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot, cooking for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant. Add tomato paste and stir until all the vegetables are coated. This step builds that deep, traditional bolognese sauce flavor and is worth the extra few minutes.
- Transfer the cooked meat and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker insert (you can use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup).
- Add crushed tomatoes, red wine, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, stir in the half and half. Continue cooking for another 2 hours on medium-low heat or HIGH depending on your crock pot.
- Remove bay leaves and serve the sauce over pasta. Top with parmesan cheese and parsley if desired. pounds lean ground beef.
- Store for later use or serve right away with your favorite pasta!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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