Hearty Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
This Hearty Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese is a rich and flavorful sauce that will transform your spaghetti nights into a beloved family tradition. Over the years, I've refined this recipe to create a balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors that pair perfectly with any pasta of your choice. This versatile dish accommodates various ground meats, transforming easily based on what's on sale at your local grocery store. For busy professionals and families alike, my trusty 4-quart crock pot cooks the sauce to perfection while you carry on with your day. Pair this dish with crusty garlic bread and a fresh romaine salad for a satisfying meal that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (browned)
ground pork
1 lb (browned)
onion
1 medium (chopped fine)
diced tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (with juice)
tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans (none)
tomato sauce
2 (8 ounce) cans (none)
bay leaves
2 (none)
garlic cloves
5 (pressed)
dried oregano
4 teaspoons (none)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
dried basil
4 teaspoons (none)
brown sugar
3 tablespoons (none)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and ground pork together with the chopped onion, stirring frequently until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is translucent. Drain off the excess fat.
2
Transfer the cooked meat and onion mixture to your crock pot.
3
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, tomato sauce, bay leaves, pressed garlic, dried oregano, salt, dried basil, brown sugar, and dried thyme to the crock pot.
4
Stir the mixture well to ensure all ingredients are evenly combined.
5
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
6
Once cooking time is complete, remove bay leaves before serving. Serve the hearty sauce over hot spaghetti noodles for a delicious meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese?
It is a rich and flavorful meat sauce designed to be slow-cooked to create a deep, savory balance for family meals.
How long does the sauce need to cook?
The sauce should be cooked on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop.
What meats are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of 1 lb of ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork.
Can I substitute the ground meat?
Yes, the dish is versatile and accommodates various ground meats based on your preference or what is available at the store.
Do I need to brown the meat before slow cooking?
Yes, you must brown the ground beef and ground pork with the chopped onion in a skillet and drain the fat before adding to the crock pot.
What size slow cooker is recommended?
A 4-quart crock pot is the recommended size for cooking this specific recipe to perfection.
What should I serve with this Bolognese?
It pairs perfectly with crusty garlic bread and a fresh romaine salad.
Is the sauce sweet or savory?
The sauce features a balance of savory flavors from the meat and herbs, with a slight sweetness from the brown sugar.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe uses 5 pressed garlic cloves for a robust and aromatic flavor profile.
Should I drain the canned diced tomatoes?
No, the diced tomatoes should be added to the crock pot along with their juice.
When should I remove the bay leaves?
Remove the two bay leaves once the cooking time is complete and before you serve the sauce.
How much brown sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
What dried herbs are included in the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme.
Can I use only ground beef?
Yes, you can use 2 lbs of ground beef if you prefer not to use ground pork.
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be chopped fine and browned with the meat.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe calls for two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
How much tomato sauce is required?
The recipe calls for two 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce.
What type of pasta goes best with this sauce?
While traditional with spaghetti, this sauce pairs well with any pasta of your choice.
Is it necessary to drain the fat from the meat?
Yes, draining off the excess fat after browning ensures the sauce remains rich rather than greasy.
How much salt is needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of salt.
Is this a good recipe for meal prep?
Yes, it is a great make-ahead meal that stores and reheats well.
Can I cook this on the high setting?
The recipe specifies a low setting for 8-10 hours to achieve the best flavor development.
How many cans of diced tomatoes are used?
The recipe requires two 28-ounce cans of diced tomatoes.
How much dried oregano is added?
There are 4 teaspoons of dried oregano in the sauce.
How much dried basil is added?
There are 4 teaspoons of dried basil in the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a beloved family tradition and a satisfying meal everyone will love.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
The tomato paste provides thickness and a concentrated tomato base for the sauce.
Can I use fresh herbs instead?
While dried are specified for the long cook time, you can use fresh herbs by adjusting the quantity and adding them near the end.
What is the benefit of the long 10-hour cook time?
The long duration allows the spices and meats to meld together into a deeply complex sauce.
Is this recipe easy for beginners to follow?
Yes, the process is simple: brown the meat and onions, then combine everything in the slow cooker.