Name: Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 strips of bacon or 50g pancetta, chopped (optional); 1 lb extra-lean ground beef; 1 large onion, diced; 2 medium carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 400g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes; 500ml (2 cups) tomato passata or crushed tomatoes; 2 tsp dried basil; 2 tsp dried oregano; 2 tsp salt, divided

Description

This Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce recipe transforms basic ingredients like ground beef, bacon, and fresh vegetables into a rich, flavorful Italian classic. Cooking low and slow allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a hearty sauce perfect for pairing with pasta or parmesan cheese. Ideal for hands-off meal prep, this recipe delivers deep, savory satisfaction with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

3 strips of bacon or 50g pancetta, chopped (optional)
1 lb extra-lean ground beef

Vegetables

1 large onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced

Tomatoes & Herbs

400g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
500ml (2 cups) tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp salt, divided

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Instructions

Cook the bacon: In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon or pancetta until it is crispy and browned. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside on a plate.
Brown the ground beef: In the same frying pan, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and browned. This step develops flavor before slow cooking.
Prepare slow cooker base: Add the diced onion, carrot, celery, minced garlic, cooked bacon, canned chopped tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the browned ground beef to the slow cooker. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook slowly: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Let the sauce cook gently for 8 hours. This long simmer infuses the sauce with rich, deep flavors, and tenderizes the vegetables and meat beautifully.
Season and serve: After 8 hours, taste the sauce and add additional salt if needed. Serve the bolognese sauce hot over cooked pasta and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Slow simmering the sauce for several hours develops intense, well-rounded flavors with minimal effort.
Use extra-lean ground beef for a healthier option, or substitute with ground turkey or pork if preferred.
You can prepare the base ingredients the night before to save time on cooking day.
This sauce freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Pair with your favorite pasta or use it as a base for lasagna or baked pasta dishes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 155 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 878 mg
Fat: 5 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 16 g
Cholesterol: 41 mg