Description
This Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is a rich and flavorful Italian classic made easy by slow simmering lean ground beef with bacon, fresh vegetables, and ripe tomatoes. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a deeply savory sauce perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. With minimal hands-on time, this comforting meal is ideal for busy days when you want hearty homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 strips bacon or pancetta (about 50g), chopped (optional)
- 1 lb (500g) extra-lean ground beef
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 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
Seasoning
- 2 tsp salt (divided, 1 tsp used during cooking and 1 tsp at seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon or pancetta until it becomes crisp and releases its fat. Remove it to a plate and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Brown the ground beef: Using the same pan, add the extra-lean ground beef seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook over medium heat, breaking the meat apart and stirring occasionally, until it is fully browned and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, cooked bacon, canned chopped tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and the browned ground beef into your slow cooker. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Slow cook the sauce: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for 8 hours to allow the flavors to develop fully and the vegetables to become tender.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: After cooking, taste the sauce and add more salt if needed. Serve the bolognese sauce hot over your choice of cooked pasta, and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Slow simmering the sauce in the slow cooker melds the flavors of beef, vegetables, and tomatoes for a deep, rich taste.
- Optional bacon adds a smoky depth but can be omitted for a lighter version.
- Serving with freshly grated parmesan and good quality pasta elevates the dish.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for longer storage.
- You can add a splash of red wine during slow cooking for a more robust flavor if desired.
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
