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Slow Cooker Bolognese
4.5 from 78 votes

Slow Cooker Bolognese

This Slow Cooker Bolognese is a rich meat sauce made with ground beef, pancetta, aromatic vegetables, and crushed tomatoes, slowly cooked to develop deep flavors over several hours. It finishes with cream and fresh parsley for a smooth texture and fresh brightness, suited for serving over pasta or spaghetti squash.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 20
Calories: 146 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces pancetta (chopped (or center cut bacon))
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil, salted
  • 1 large white onion (minced)
  • 2 celery about 3/4 cup, minced, stalks
  • 2 carrot about 3/4 cup, minced
  • 2 lbs ground beef 90% lean
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 2 ounce cans crushed tomatoes (I love Tuttorosso)
  • 3 bay leaves dried
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • 1/4 cup parsley chopped, fresh
  • 1/2 cup half and half

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large deep skillet, saute the pancetta on low heat until the fat melts, about 4-5 minutes. Add the butter, onions, celery and carrots and cook on medium-low heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Increase heat to medium-high; add the meat, season with salt and pepper and sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain the fat then add wine; cook until it reduces down, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Transfer to the slow cooker. Add tomatoes, bay leaves, salt and pepper; cover and set slow cooker to LOW 6 hours.
  4. After the 6 hours, adjust salt and pepper to taste, add half & half and parsley; stir and serve over your favorite pasta or spaghetti squash.

Notes

  • Yields about 10 cups of sauce, ideal for multiple servings or freezing.
  • Leftovers freeze well and can be thawed in the refrigerator before reheating on stove or slow cooker.
  • Use center-cut bacon as a substitute if pancetta is unavailable.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/2 cup sauce Calories 146kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 8.5g (13%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Fiber 0.4g (2%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 146

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/2 cup sauce
Calories 146kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 8.5g 13%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Fiber 0.4g 2%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.