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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Ingredients / Pasta / Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 11/14/20Updated: 4/20/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

overhead shot of plate of spaghetti

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is a classic sauce that is rich and hearty. It is cooked low and slow in the crock pot.

plate of spaghetti

When it comes to pasta and Italian dishes I will always choose a bolognese sauce.  A bolognese is a classic Italian meat sauce. It can be served over pasta or used in a lasagna.

One of the tricks to a really good meat sauce is letting it cook long and slow. The longer it simmers, the thicker and richer the sauce gets. The slow cooker is the perfect place to let that happen!

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

What Kind of Meat Should I Use?

I like to use a combination of ground beef and ground pork but you could use all ground beef if you prefer. Traditionally, it is also made with pancetta but we are using bacon instead which is easier to find.

Bolognese Ingredients

  • Bacon
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Onion
  • Tomatoes
  • Ground Beef/Ground Pork
  • Seasonings. Parsley, Oregano, Basil

How to Make Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

  • Saute vegetables in butter until soft. Add into slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
  • Brown meat and add into slow cooker.
  • Cook bacon until crisp and break into small pieces. Add into slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
  • Add in crushed tomatoes and seasoning.
  • Cook on low for 6 hours.
  • Serve over pasta and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese
Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

What Kind of Pasta Goes with Bolognese Sauce?

I typically use a basic spaghetti noodle because that is what I usually have in my pantry but I also love it served with a thicker noodle such as tagliatelle, pappardelle and fettuccine. The thicker noodle gives that yummy sauce more real estate to hold onto. This sauce also makes a wonderful lasagna.

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

For other pasta dishes try these:

  • Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
  • Chicken Sausage Pasta
  • Vegetable Pasta
  • Pasta e fagioli

For all my other favorite kitchen products and tools visit my Amazon Store.

Did you know I wrote a cookbook?  Check out the Holiday Slow Cooker Cookbook for 100 delicious recipes.

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Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce Recipe

4.50 from 4 votes
plate of spaghetti

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is a classic sauce that is rich and hearty. It is cooked low and slow in the crock pot.
serves: 12 (1/2 cup) servings
Prep:20 minutes minutes
Cook:6 hours hours
Total:6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 strips bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
  • 1 cup celery diced
  • 1 cup carrot diced
  • 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beaf
  • 56 oz. cans crushed tomatoes two 28oz cans
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Saute vegetables in butter for about 5 minutes.
  • In another pan brown hamburger
  • Cook bacon until crisp and crumble
  • Add everything into slow cooker
  • Add tomatoes and seasonings.
  • Cook on low for 6 hours

Tips & Notes:

makes approximately 6 cups of sauce

Recommended Products

Crock Pot Liner
Slow Cooker (6qt)
Measuring Cups

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 168kcal (8%) Carbohydrates: 12g (4%) Protein: 16g (32%) Fat: 7g (11%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Cholesterol: 43mg (14%) Sodium: 284mg (12%) Potassium: 666mg (19%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 7g (8%) Vitamin A: 2133IU (43%) Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) Calcium: 64mg (6%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine:Italian
plate of spaghetti
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overhead shot of plate of spaghetti

Originally posted November 14, 2013

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Reader Interactions

4.50 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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  1. Carolyn says

    Posted on 1/29 at 5:36 pm

    I liked this sauce but it was super runny! I didn’t see to not add in the juice of the tomato’s… I was bummed.

    Reply
  2. Lucy Mishler says

    Posted on 3/19 at 8:26 am

    I have your crockpot cookbook, and have given many copies as gifts, and I am going to make, for the first time, the bolognese recipe that calls for sausage and ground beef. Just was curious why you left out the carrots and celery that were included in this website crockpot recipe?

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 3/19 at 3:54 pm

      I actually did this recipe before the cookbook recipe and added them in for the cookbook, as an updated recipe.

      Reply
      • Lucy Mishler says

        Posted on 3/21 at 6:22 pm

        It was amazing!!!!

        Reply
  3. anna says

    Posted on 11/16 at 5:50 am

    have you ever used ground turkey instead of beef in this recipe? looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 11/16 at 8:15 am

      I haven’t but I’m sure it would work great.

      Reply
  4. Mary Lynn says

    Posted on 11/14 at 8:46 am

    What is wrong with me, that I dislike Bacon? With just 4 strips, does this have a strong, bacon flavor? Maybe, I could use two.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 11/14 at 8:48 am

      You could easily leave the bacon out of this – doesn’t have a strong bacon taste at all.

      Reply
      • Mary Lynn says

        Posted on 11/14 at 9:23 am

        This will make a great dish for Sunday’s dinner. Thank you.

        Reply
        • Leigh Anne says

          Posted on 11/16 at 8:16 am

          It is perfect for Sundays or any night! Enjoy

          Reply

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