Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
Master the art of Italian comfort food with this rich and hearty Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce—a recipe designed to deliver incredible depth of flavor with minimal effort. Perfectly blending tender ground beef and pork with aromatic vegetables, garlic, and a medley of herbs, this sauce simmers to perfection over hours, thanks to the magic of your slow cooker. A splash of red wine and a swirl of heavy cream elevate the sauce to a new level of luxuriousness, making it ideal for serving over pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this dish is a must-try for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or meal prepping. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley for an authentic touch that'll win over any crowd. Whether feeding the family or impressing dinner guests, this classic Italian recipe will transport your taste buds straight to Bologna.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 medium celery rib, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground pork
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 cup red wine
- 1 cup unsalted chicken or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 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 chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef and pork. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook for 8–10 minutes, until browned and no longer pink.
Stir in the tomato paste, mixing it into the meat and vegetables, and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, red wine, broth, oregano, basil, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
Set the slow cooker to LOW and cook for 6–7 hours, or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.
30 minutes before the cooking time is up, stir in the heavy cream to add richness to the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Serve the bolognese sauce over your favorite pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine) and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2826 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 200.2 g | 257% | |
| Saturated Fat | 79.0 g | 395% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 649 mg | 216% | |
| Sodium | 4084 mg | 178% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 86.5 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.4 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.9 g | ||
| Protein | 147.3 g | 295% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 672 mg | 52% | |
| Iron | 25.5 mg | 142% | |
| Potassium | 5390 mg | 115% | |
*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.
