Go Back

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

A rich, slow-simmered Italian meat sauce made effortlessly in the slow cooker for deep flavor and perfect texture.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bolognese Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 carrots finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced
  • 2 lbs ground beef or beef/pork mix
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Slow cooker
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a skillet and sauté onions, celery, carrots, and garlic until softened.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly to deepen flavor.
  4. Transfer mixture to slow cooker and add crushed tomatoes, broth, milk, herbs, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
  5. Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
  6. Remove bay leaf, stir, adjust seasoning, and serve.

Notes

For extra richness, add 1/2 cup red wine during sautéing. Sauce freezes very well.