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; Salt and pepper, to taste

Description

A rich and hearty Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce made with lean ground beef, savory bacon, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs, simmered low and slow to develop deep, comforting flavors perfect for serving over pasta.

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 & Sauces

400g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
500ml (2 cups) tomato passata or crushed tomatoes

Herbs & Seasonings

2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp salt, divided
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook bacon: In a frying pan, cook chopped pancetta or bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from pan and set aside on a plate.
Brown ground beef: In the same frying pan, add ground beef seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the meat, until fully browned and no longer pink.
Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, cooked bacon, canned chopped tomatoes, tomato passata, dried basil, dried oregano, 1 tsp of salt, and the browned ground beef into the slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine well.
Slow cook the sauce: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld and sauce to thicken beautifully.
Final seasoning and serve: After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust salt as needed. Serve the bolognese sauce hot over cooked pasta and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Slow simmering melds flavors and tenderizes the beef for an authentic Bolognese taste.
Using lean ground beef keeps the sauce rich yet healthy.
Optional bacon adds smoky depth but can be omitted for a lighter version.
Leftover sauce freezes well for easy future meals.
Serve with your favorite pasta shapes or use as a base for lasagna.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 155
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