Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this hearty and irresistibly rich Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese. Packed with tender ground beef and pork, aromatic vegetables, and a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with red wine and Italian herbs, this recipe allows all the flavors to meld to perfection during a slow, hands-free cooking process. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, making it an ideal choice for busy families or meal prep enthusiasts. Serve this classic Italian-inspired dish over perfectly cooked spaghetti, and finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality meal at home. Perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining, this recipe offers a comforting, flavorful twist on traditional Bolognese that’s sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground pork
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 stalk celery stalk, finely diced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 0.5 cup beef broth
- 0.5 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- optional grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- optional chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork, and cook until browned, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat and transfer the browned meat to a slow cooker.
In the same skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Add these vegetables to the slow cooker.
To the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, red wine (if using), Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture gently to combine.
Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low heat for 6–8 hours or on high heat for 3–4 hours. The sauce should thicken slightly, and the flavors will meld together beautifully over the long cooking time.
About 15 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Remove the bay leaf from the slow cooker. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed (add more salt or pepper).
Serve the Bolognese sauce over cooked spaghetti. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Enjoy your rich, slow-cooked Spaghetti Bolognese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2816 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 148.9 g | 191% | |
| Saturated Fat | 53.8 g | 269% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 529 mg | 176% | |
| Sodium | 4548 mg | 198% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 188.1 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.5 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 51.7 g | ||
| Protein | 173.1 g | 346% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 586 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 25.1 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 5373 mg | 114% | |
*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.
