Weeknight Slow Cooker Bolognese

Simplify your weeknight dinners with this rich and hearty Weeknight Slow Cooker Bolognese. With robust flavors from ingredients like dried oregano, thyme, and a hint of cinnamon for warmth. Serve over your favorite pasta and sprinkle with parmesan for an effortlessly delicious meal!

Bolognese sauce is a classic Italian meat-based sauce that comes from Italy. It’s a rich and hearty concoction that marries ground meat—usually beef or a combo of beef and pork—with tomatoes, onions, carrots, and often a splash of wine. The result? A savory, deep-flavored sauce with a slightly sweet undertone, thanks to the veggies. It’s often seasoned with herbs like oregano and thyme and sometimes gets a boost from ingredients like milk or cream. 

While you can make this comforting pasta sauce on the stovetop, using the slow cooker makes it a breeze, especially for a busy home chef! When you make bolognese in a slow cooker, you’re giving those flavors time to mingle together and develop properly. The gentle, consistent heat from the slow cooker means every ingredient has the chance to come together, leading to a sauce that’s richer and deeper in flavor than if you made it on the stovetop. Plus, the beauty of this method? You pretty much toss everything in – beef, tomatoes, spices, and all – and let it do its thing while you go about your day. By dinnertime, you’ve got a hearty sauce ready to enjoy. 

When it comes to nailing weeknight meals, convenience and flavor are key. This bolognese sauce checks both boxes. You prep your ingredients, let the slow cooker work its magic, and by the time you’re wrapping up your day, a delicious, hearty sauce is ready to top your pasta, spaghetti, get layered in lasagna, or spooned atop polenta!

Need more pasta dinner ideas for a quick dinner? Try out my 20 Minute Pasta With Peas, No Boil 3 Cheese Pasta Bake, and One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta! Or, if you’re looking for a quicker bolognese recipe try my 30-Minute Ground Chicken Bolognese Sauce instead.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, turning simple ingredients into a rich and aromatic bolognese sauce.
• A hint of cinnamon offers a delightful twist, adding a warm and unexpected depth to the traditional flavor profile.
• It’s versatile: perfect for spaghetti night, as a lasagna layer, or even spooned over a creamy polenta.
• With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, you’re freed up to tackle the rest of your evening, all while a hearty meal is simmering in the crock pot. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Garlic and Onion – These aromatic essentials lay the flavorful foundation, adding depth and a savory kick to the sauce.
• Carrot – This root vegetable introduces a touch of natural sweetness, balancing out the richness of the meat and tomatoes.
• Ground Beef – The main star of the dish, it brings heartiness and texture, absorbing all the surrounding flavors beautifully.
• Salt and Pepper – Fundamental seasonings that amplify every ingredient, bringing out their natural flavors.
• Seasonings (oregano, thyme, cinnamon) – This trio of herbs and spices infuses the bolognese with a classic Italian flair and a hint of warm, surprising depth.
• Low Sodium Beef Broth – Helps in melding flavors while maintaining the sauce’s juicy consistency without overpowering saltiness.
• Crushed Tomatoes – They form the tangy base of the sauce, creating the perfect canvas for the seasonings and meat.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a complex, umami undertone, enhancing the meaty essence of the bolognese.
• Tomato Paste – This concentrated tomato goodness deepens the sauce’s color and flavor, making it even more robust.
• Chopped Parsley – A fresh touch as it cuts through the richness and brightens the dish just before serving.
• Parmesan Cheese – This salty, nutty cheese, when sprinkled on top, complements the meaty sauce and elevates the whole pasta experience.

How To Make Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Prepare the ingredients: To make sure everything is uniform in size, add the carrot, garlic, and onion to a food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped, and everything is the same size. You can also do this by hand using a sharp knife. 

Layer the ingredients: To your slow cooker, add the ground beef and sprinkle the seasonings on top. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and finely chopped veggies. 

Slow cook the sauce: Stir all of the ingredients together until evenly mixed. Add the lid to the top and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-4 hours. Use a spatula to break up the meat before serving.

Garnish and serve: Stir in the freshly chopped parsley ladle over pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve while hot. 

Recipe Tips

• Before adding to the slow cooker, lightly sautéing the garlic and onion can enhance their flavors.
• Opt for a leaner cut of ground beef; it’ll give you a richer taste without making the sauce too greasy.
• If you can find them, San Marzano crushed tomatoes are known for their superior taste, making your bolognese even more tasty.
• While dried herbs are convenient, if you have fresh oregano or thyme on hand, they can provide a brighter flavor punch.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid of the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate.
• The cinnamon provides a unique touch, but if you’re unsure about it, start with a pinch and adjust to your taste preference.

Variations

• Swap out the beef for lentils or finely chopped mushrooms to create a meatless version with a similarly hearty texture.
• Ground turkey or chicken can be a lighter alternative to beef while still maintaining a meaty essence in the sauce.
• For a little kick, add some red pepper flakes or a diced chili pepper to introduce a subtle heat to the dish.
• Replace a portion of the beef broth with red wine for an added depth of flavor and a touch of elegance.
• Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone during the last hour of cooking for a creamy bolognese.
• Incorporate diced bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant to boost the veggie content and add new layers of flavor anchovy paste or a couple of anchovies can be added for a deeper umami punch without making the sauce taste fishy.
• For a unique global spin, incorporate spices like cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika, and serve over couscous or rice instead of pasta.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once you’ve prepared the bolognese, let it cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Properly sealed, the sauce can be refrigerated and will stay fresh for up to five days. 

Freezing: Ladle the cooled sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion. Ensure you squeeze out any excess air from the bags to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date, and you can keep the sauce in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and then warm it up on the stove when ready to enjoy.

FAQ

What is the difference between meat sauce and bolognese?

Meat sauce is a general term for any sauce made with meat, often simpler and quicker to prepare with a tomato base. Bolognese, originating from Bologna, Italy, is a specific type of meat sauce that’s richer and cooked slowly, traditionally incorporating ingredients like onions, celery, carrots, and sometimes wine or milk.

Can you put raw minced beef in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can put raw minced beef in a slow cooker; as it cooks slowly over several hours, the beef will fully cook and break down, melding with other ingredients. However, for enhanced flavor, many choose to brown the beef first in a skillet to develop a richer taste before transferring it to the slow cooker.

More Weeknight Sauce Recipes

• 3 Ingredient Meatloaf Sauce
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
• 3 Ingredient Crab Cake Sauce
• Basil Pistachio Pesto

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