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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Slow cooker / Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

    Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

    Published: Nov 12, 2019 · Modified: Sep 1, 2021 by Anna 15 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is the best classic meat sauce ever! This rich and deep in flavor pasta sauce is cooked in a crock pot, served over fettuccine and topped with Parmesan. 

    Serve with Easy Garlic Bread or my Easy Focaccia Bread and you are in for a feast that didn't take much effort at all.

    Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce over spaghetti on plate.

    That's exactly what this is - comfort food at it's best. This pasta sauce recipe will change your spaghetti game and you will love it! It's perfect for those days when pasta just seems boring and you need a big bowl of comfort food. We are bringing spaghetti back to our weekly dinner menus with this Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce. A new family favorite! A steaming bowl of spaghetti with rich, slow cooker bolognese sauce is bound to make your soul and belly happy. Planning a relaxing weekend? This recipe is perfect for it! Minimal prep time and the magic happens in your slow cooker. Yes, please!

    Ingredients

    • olive oil
    • garlic cloves
    • red onion
    • carrots
    • celery
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • crushed tomatoes
    • half and half
    • tomato sauce
    • salt and pepper
    • Italian seasoning

    Instructions

    • Saute garlic and onion in a skillet for 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook for a few minutes. Place sauteed vegetables in a 5-quart slow cooker.
    • In the same skillet, cook beef until no longer pink. Stir in half and half and tomato sauce and cook for about 4 minutes. Pour mixture over vegetables in crockpot.
    • Add crushed tomatoes and all of the seasonings to the slow cooker. Stir well.
    • Cook sauce on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours.
    Ingredients for bolognese sauce in slow cooker.

    Can I freeze this sauce?

    Yes! You can make the sauce, cool completely and place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw the sauce in the fridge and heat up in a pan.

    Best tips

    • veggies: Don't let the carrots and celery throw you off. It is quite common for these veggies to be used in pasta sauce by Italian cooks, or so I have been told. I love the sweetness the carrots add to the sauce. The celery blends perfectly with onions and garlic.
    • garlic: Feel free to amp up the amount of garlic in this recipe. I used 3 cloves but I love it with 5 cloves even more. That's a personal preference. I just love garlic in my pasta dishes!
    • beef: When browning the beef, let it cook until you see little bits at the bottom of the pan - they have a ton of flavor
    • half and half: Adding half and half and one can of tomato sauce adds more flavor and richness to the dish.

    More homemade sauce recipes:

    • Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
    • 5-Minute Pizza Sauce
    • Homemade Alfredo Sauce
    • Instant Pot Spaghetti
    • Mushroom Sauce

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

    Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce over spaghetti on plate.

    Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

    Author: Anna
    This Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is the best classic meat sauce ever! This rich and deep in flavor pasta sauce is cooked in a crock pot, served over fettuccine and topped with Parmesan. 
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 6 hrs
    Total Time 6 hrs 15 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 307 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 3/4 cup chopped red onion
    • 2 carrots diced
    • 2 celery stalks diced
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
    • 1/2 cup half and half
    • 4 oz tomato sauce
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    • 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning

    Instructions
     

    • In a large saucepan, heat up olive oil. Add garlic and onion. Saute for 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes.
    • Place sauteed vegetables in a 5 quart slow cooker. 
    • To the same saucepan, add beef and cook until done. Brown over medium heat, stirring often and breaking the meat. Cook until brown bites are visible on the bottom of the pan. Add half and half and cook 2 minutes or until most of the liquid evaporates. Add tomato sauce and cook the mixture for 3 minutes. Place in the slow cooker, next to vegetables.
    • Add crushed tomatoes and seasoning to slow cooker. Stir everything together. Cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours. 
    • Serve over cooked spaghetti or fettuccine pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. 

    Notes

    1. Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
    2. Feel free to use ground turkey in place of beef.
    3. To freeze: cool the sauce completely, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 552mg | Potassium: 815mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3895IU | Vitamin C: 17.2mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 3.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    This recipe was originally published on January 18th, 2017 and updated on November 12th, 2019.

    More SLOW COOKER RECIPES

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    • Best Ever Slow Cooker Beef Stew
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    • Best Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Phillip says

      February 05, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe, set it and forget it until after work.... the family is going to be happy!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 05, 2021 at 10:25 pm

        Exactly! Thank you so much, Phillip!

        Reply
    2. Noreen Gamble says

      November 14, 2019 at 1:57 am

      Any thoughts on doing this in the Instant Pot?

      Thank you ahead, Anna

      Noreen

      Reply
    3. Suzy says

      November 13, 2019 at 12:20 am

      5 stars
      We've made something similar to this before but never thought to use the slow cooker! Such a great idea! Trying this ASAP!

      Reply
    4. Stephanie says

      November 12, 2019 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      We are huge pasta lovers but I've never been a fan of store-bought sauces so this was beyond delicious! Great recipe!

      Reply
    5. Jennifer says

      November 12, 2019 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      Looks SOO delicious! I am excited to try your recipe!

      Reply
    6. Katerina says

      November 12, 2019 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my, this sounds incredibly delicious! A must make!

      Reply
    7. Kristyn says

      November 12, 2019 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      Mmmm...I love this sauce!! It's rich & hearty & great with any pasta!! My family loves it!

      Reply
    8. Jeff says

      March 05, 2019 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      Oh yeah, Amp up the garlic on mine!

      Reply
    9. Des says

      January 19, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      My ultimate comfort food right there!

      Reply
    10. carrie says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:59 am

      I just love a good homemade pasta sauce! And bonus points for being made in the slow cooker. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Lora says

      January 19, 2017 at 6:33 am

      5 stars
      There is nothing like a great Bolognese sauce! So nice to enjoy with a bowl of spaghetti and how great that you made it in a slow cooker...I bet your family was excited to know this sauce was what was for dinner!!

      Reply
    12. Dorothy says

      January 18, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      I love that the slow cooker will do the work! This is a perfect comfort food for winter!

      Reply
    13. Erin says

      January 18, 2017 at 4:29 pm

      The last time I made a Bolognese, I was a newlywed with tons of time on her hands and could babysit my sauce on the stovetop. Your rendition of the classic is going to be ADORED in my household because it sounds so good! Thanks for sharing this!

      Reply
    14. Erren says

      January 18, 2017 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      I have been blessed with this recipe!

      Reply

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