Crockpot Bolognese Sauce
Using a slow cooker for your spaghetti Bolognese not only makes mealtime easier but also gives the sauce a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Colander
- Ladle
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 1 lb 450g lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine optional, but adds amazing depth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little kick
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz 340g spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Vegetables
- Peel and finely dice the carrots and celery.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.
- Pro Tip: Keeping the veggies uniform in size ensures even cooking and a smoother sauce texture.
Brown the Meat (Optional but Recommended)
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until no pink remains.
- Break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Pro Tip: Browning the meat first adds extra flavor and depth to your slow cooker bolognese sauce.
Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
- Add the browned meat (or raw meat if skipping step 2) to the crockpot.
- Stir in onions, carrots, celery, and garlic.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and all herbs.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Pro Tip: Give everything a good stir to evenly distribute the flavors before cooking.
Slow Cook the Sauce
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Give it a stir halfway through if possible.
- Pro Tip: The longer it cooks on low, the more tender the meat and deeper the flavor.
Finish with Milk or Cream
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the milk or cream.
- Adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.
- Pro Tip: This step balances acidity and gives your slow cooker bolognese a rich, silky texture.
Cook the Pasta
- While the sauce finishes, cook your pasta according to package instructions.
- Drain well and set aside.
- Pro Tip: Reserve a small cup of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed when combining.
Serve and Garnish
- Plate the cooked pasta and ladle the slow cooked bolognese sauce on top.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
- Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving — Approximate)
- Calories: ~360
- Protein: ~25g
- Fat: ~17g
- Carbohydrates: ~28g
- Fiber: ~5g
- Sugar: ~10g
- Sodium: ~640mg