Crock Pot Beer Bolognese
Transform your weeknight dinners into an unforgettable culinary experience with this Crock Pot Beer Bolognese. This rich and hearty slow-cooked sauce combines tender beef and pork with the deep, malty flavors of brown ale or lager, creating a unique twist on the classic Italian favorite. Sautéed veggies, crushed tomatoes, and aromatic herbs simmer together for hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. A splash of whole milk stirred in near the end adds a luxurious creaminess, while optional garnishes like freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley elevate each serving. Perfect over pasta, polenta, or zucchini noodles, this crowd-pleasing recipe is effortless to prepare and ideal for cozy family meals or entertaining guests. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this slow cooker bolognese recipe is the ultimate comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 2 medium celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 12 ounces beer (brown ale or lager preferred)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and ground pork. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Transfer the cooked meat and vegetable mixture to a large Crock Pot.
Pour the beer into the Crock Pot, scraping up any brown bits from the skillet if needed, to deglaze.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth to the Crock Pot. Stir to combine.
Season with bay leaf, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
One hour before serving, stir in the whole milk to enrich the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with salt and pepper.
Serve the Bolognese over your favorite pasta, polenta, or even zucchini noodles. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
533 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 36.8 g | 47% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.9 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 629 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.2 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.1 g | ||
| Protein | 30.6 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 104 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 992 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
