Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

When I know I’m going to have a busy day, I turn to my favorite slow cooker recipes such as tender crock pot pork roast, hearty slow cooker beef stew, and this delicious slow cooker bolognese. You can’t go wrong with a hearty meat sauce over pasta, and this slow cooker bolognese fits the bill. It’s quick to put together, and slow cooking it adds so much extra flavor. My kids ask for this dish every week!

Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce Ingredients

This recipe consists of bacon, ground beef, onion, garlic, carrot, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, tomato sauce and parsley.

How do you make slow cooker bolognese sauce?

Start by cooking some bacon in a pan until it is crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, then drain off some of the fat. Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up into small pieces. Next, add carrots, onions, garlic and Italian seasoning. Transfer the beef, vegetables and bacon to a slow cooker. Pour in a jar of marinara sauce and a can of tomato sauce, then stir to combine. Cover the pot, then cook. When it’s time for dinner, all you need to do is boil some pasta and you’ll be ready to eat!

Tips for the perfect dish

Pancetta is a traditional addition to bolognese sauce. I typically have bacon on hand most of the time, so I started making this dish with bacon and never looked back, because the bacon adds a great smoky, savory flavor. For a more authentic sauce, feel free to use pancetta. I make this dish with 90% lean ground beef. I find it has great flavor but isn’t overly greasy. If you use a beef with a higher fat content, you’ll want to drain off any excess grease before you cook it. To save time in the morning, feel free to cook up the beef, bacon and vegetables the night before and store them in the fridge. This sauce really only needs to cook for about 4-6 hours on low heat to achieve the desired results. If you need to leave it in the slow cooker for longer, that should be fine. Slow cooker bolognese sauce is a great candidate for the freezer! Store it in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 2 months.

Flavor variations

This recipe is great as-is, but you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

Protein: Feel free to swap out the ground beef for turkey, or use a blend of both ground beef and Italian sausage for a different flavor. Creamy Sauce: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream during the last 20 minutes of the cooking time. Chunky Sauce: Add 1 cup canned diced tomatoes that have been drained. Herb Lovers: Stir in 2 tablespoons each of fresh chopped basil and parsley when the sauce is finished.

I make this slow cooker bolognese on a regular basis – it’s easy, kid friendly, and always packed with flavor!