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4.3 from 42 votes

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this bolognese-style sauce is made in the slow cooker.  Just boil some pasta and your dinner is ready!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 428 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
  • 1 onion minced
  • 2 carrots, very finely chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 - ounce cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 - ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce (I use Newman's Own)
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 tsp better than chicken bouillon
  • 3 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp sugar (to taste)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking until browned, about 5-6 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef and sausage as it cooks.  The last 2-3 minutes, add onion, carrot and garlic to beef and cook.  Drain in a colander to remove excess grease. 
  2. Place meat mixture into bottom of slow cooker. Add remaining sauce ingredients and stir to combine.  Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Notes

  • If desired, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream at the end of cooking, cover and cook another 5-10 minutes to warm it through.  Cream really rounds out the flavors and adds a beautiful richness, but it's optional

Nutrition Information

Calories 428kcal (21%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 428

% Daily Value*

Calories 428kcal 21%

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