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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Slow Cooker and Casserole

    Slow Cooker Bolognese

    Published: Dec 30, 2019 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 34 Comments

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    Slow Cooker Bolognese with a text title overlay.

    This Slow Cooker Bolognese tastes is bursting with flavour and it makes meal time's so much easier. It's rustic, rich, bursting with herby tomato goodness and the meat is melt in your mouth tender. But we have let the slow cooker do all the work for us! A fuss free family favourite for an easy weeknight meal.

    Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese with a bowl of salad and some black olives.

    I think most families can agree on a spaghetti bolognese when it comes to dinner time. Everyone loves the thick and rich meaty sauces as it clings to the al dente spaghetti that is gently sprinkled with cheese.

    It's a classic family favourite, but it really should be cooked low and slow for best results. If you have ever seen an Italian Grandmother cook a bolognese, it's a labour of love.

    If you are looking for some other bolognese recipes to try, then why not try our Turkey Bolognese, Lentil Bolognese, Bolognese Pasta Bake or Mushroom Bolognese?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • Step by step
    • Variations
    • What to serve with slow cooker bolognese
    • Storage
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • What people are saying
    • More slow cooker recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Minimal effort - All the flavour of a slow and low cooked bolognese but with very little effort. The slow cooker does all the work for you!
    • A family favourite - This is going to be a favourite with your whole family and it can be cooking away when you get in the door.
    • Freezable - This slow cooker bolognese freezes really well, making it great for batch cooking.
    • Versatile - There are so many different ways to use this and we have given all our favourite options below.

    Ingredients needed

    • Onion - We used a small brown onion, but you could swap it for a couple of small shallots, which would give it a sweeter flavour.
    • Garlic - Freshly crushed is always best, but you can save time by using frozen or ready crushed garlic in a jar is you prefer. Make sure it is finely crushed, almost like a paste, so it distributes evenly in the sauce.
    • Mushrooms - This helps to add some chunkiness to the sauce. You could grate them if you wanted to hide them more. Also, if you wanted to reduce the amount of meat used, then use more mushrooms.
    • Carrot - Make sure these are finely diced so that it cooks well in the slow cooker.
    • Beef mince - We used less than 5% fat beef mince to keep this lean, but you could use higher fat which would add more flavour. You could use pork or turkey mince instead.
    • Chopped tomatoes - This is where the majority of the sauce comes from. Try to use the best quality you can, as it really will make a difference. Cheaper brands tend to be really watery and don't have much flavour.
    • Tomato puree - This not only helps to add lots more extra tomato flavour, but it thickens up the sauce too. You could use sundried tomato paste for extra flavour.
    • Balsamic vinegar - This is my (not so) secret ingredient for any pasta sauce. It adds so much flavour. Again, good quality is best.
    • Red wine - This adds a real depth and richness to the sauce. You can leave it out if you prefer.
    • Vegetable stock - This helps to add some extra sauce and flavour.
    • Dried herbs - We used basil and oregano, but you could just use one.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    Step by step

    One: Prepare the vegetables.

    A wooden chopping board with chopped mushrooms, onion, carrot and garlic.

    Two: Put 1 teaspoon of oil in to a large pan and add the onion, mushrooms, carrot and garlic and gently cook for 3 minutes. Set aside.

    A frying pan with chopped carrot, onion, mushrooms and garlic.

    Three Put the rest of the oil in the same frying pan and add the beef mince. Gently cook for 3-4 minutes until browned.

    A frying pan with part cooked beef mince.

    Four: Add the vegetables to the slow cooker.

    A slow cooker pot containing cooked chopped vegetables.

    Five: Add the browned meat to the slow cooker with the vegetables.

    A slow cooker pot with cooked chopped vegetables and browned beef mince.

    Six: Add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

    A slow cooker pot with browned beef mince, chopped tomatoes and herbs.

    Variations

    We also think that vegetables are essential to a good slow cooker spaghetti bolognese. I mean, the meat is the main ingredient, but as well as giving it a nutrient boost and some extra colour, we find that it adds a nice chunky texture once all the meat it broken down.

    We went with mushrooms, onion and carrot to keep it quite traditional. If you wanted to "hide" the vegetables, then make sure to chop them up really small.

    Other vegetables you can add include celery, peppers, courgette (zucchini) and you can even stir some spinach in about 30 minutes before it is cooked if you want to give it a proper green veggie boost.

    Slow Cooker Bolognese mixed with spaghetti, topped with basil and Parmesan.

    What to serve with slow cooker bolognese

    We went the classic route and served ours with a good quality spaghetti. If you want something else on the side, then you can't go wrong with garlic bread. Either buy some ready made, or make your own easy garlic bread by cutting up some French stick and spreading it with a mix of butter, crushed garlic and dried herbs. Then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes. Why not try our Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe?

    As well as garlic bread, you can bulk the meal out with a big green salad. The key to an epic green salad is to use a variety of greens, like romaine, spinach, kale and rocket. You want leafy greens, but crunch too. Then you need the perfect dressing. Why not try our Lemon Vinaigrette, Honey and Mustard Dressing or Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette. You could also try our Grilled Little Gem Salad.

    If you want to add a big side of vegetables, then we recommend our Garlic Spring Greens, Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Garlic Green Beans, Air Fryer Carrots, or Roasted Lemon Asparagus.

    However with leftovers we often serve it on a crispy jacket potato, with rice or even in a quesadilla. Sometimes it's just a big bowl of it with a crusty chunk of bread in it. Why not use some to make our Bolognese Pasta Bake.

    Storage

    Store: This is an ideal batch cooking dish, so it makes a great leftovers dinner. They will keep in an air tight container in the fridge for three days.

    Freeze: You can portion it out in to freeze containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Defrost: Make sure to defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight before reheating.

    Reheat: You can either reheat it in the microwave for a couple of minutes or on the hob. Make sure it is piping hot before serving.

    A white bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese with a fork in it.

    FAQs

    How to thicken bolognese

    If you find that you have too much liquid in your bolognese when it has finished cooking, then you can add a little cornflour (cornstarch) to it. I find that the tomato puree makes the sauce nice and thick though.

    Do I need to brown the mince and vegetables first?

    This recipe does need a little prep, like browning the onions, carrots, mushrooms and meat first and it really shouldn't be skipped as it really does give the meat a deep and richer flavour. When the mince is cooked, it releases fat and water which doesn’t evaporate in the slow cooker, so would simply sit on top of the sauce which isn't great.

    Can I prepare it in advance?

    You could always prep the meat and onion earlier and then just dump it all in the slow cooker when you needed to. We used beef mince, but you could use a mixture of beef and pork to get a nice flavour mix.

    Can I cook slow cooker bolognese in the oven?

    If you don't have a slow cooker, but also don't want to be standing over the hob for hours cooking this, then it can be slow cooked in the oven. Do everything you need to on the hob first, then add everything in to a big casserole dish and put in the oven at 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 for 2 to 3 hours.

    How to make a slow cooker vegetarian bolognese?

    If you fancy trying something different, then you can make a bolognese with either a mix of mushrooms, cooked lentils or a meat alternative like Quorn mince. Cooking times will vary though. Why not try our Mushroom Bolognese for a vegetarian alternative?

    Shouldn't you add milk to bolgonese?

    Traditionally a splash of milk is added to a bolognese to tenderise the meat and balance out the acidity of the tomatoes. Feel free to add some if you like.

    Can I cook the pasta in the bolognese?

    Yes, you can do that although it isn't our favourite way to cook pasta. About 30 minute before the bolognese has finished cooking, add the pasta and about 100ml of stock (as the pasta will absorb liquid from the sauce) and mix well.

    What slow cooker to use

    There really is no rule here, just make sure that the meat you are cooking can fit in your slow cooker. We use a Crock Pot DuraCeramic Slow Cooker and we love it. What I love most about it is that you can put the bowl insert on the hob too. So, you can brown the meat in the slow cooker bowl. You can also sear the meat in it first. I also love that it has a clear lid, as I am so impatient that I want to keep looking and seeing what it is doing. If you don't have a clear lid, then lifting it to see will release lots of the heat and add to the cooking time.

    Can this recipe be doubled?

    Yes, you can easily double the recipe and it won't change the cooking time. Just make sure you have a slow cooker big enough for double all of the ingredients.

    Is slow cooker bolognese gluten free?

    As long as you use a gluten free stock, and make sure there is no cross contamination, then this can be gluten free.

    What wine goes with slow cooker bolognese?

    Chianti is a great wine to go with a bolognese. It is a dry, red wine made only in a specific part of Tuscany.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • You want the mince to be really broken up, rather than big chunks. So use a fork to break it all up whilst it is browning.
    • If you wanted to add a bit of creaminess to this dish, then add a glug of single cream about 15 minutes before the bolognese has finished and stir well.
    • Want to give the dish a veggie boost? Add some peppers and courgette and then stir in some spinach about 30 minutes before it is cooked.
    • Make sure the vegetables are finely chopped so that they are nice and soft.
    • Looking for a vegetarian bolognese? You could use just mushrooms or even Quorn mince or cooked lentils. Cooking times will vary though.
    • You don't have to add red wine to this dish, just simply leave it out with no need to replace it with anything.
    • Don't have a slow cooker? This can all be slow cooked in the oven at 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 for 2 to 3 hours.
    • For some extra flavour you can add some chopped and browned pancetta.
    • If the bolognese feels a little too thick once mixed with the pasta, then you can loosen it up a little with starchy pasta water.

    What people are saying

    Great flavors

    I'm in love with the flavors in this. So deep and intense.
    Jocelyn @
    Grandbaby Cakes

    Family recipe

    I love that my family eats this up and never even mentions the veggies inside.
    Jen @
    Dinner Then Dessert

    Easy

    Love this recipe! It's so easy and tasty. I'll definitely be making this again and again!
    Kim @
    Kim's Cravings

    More slow cooker recipes

    • EASY Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
    • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    • The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Casserole
    • Slow Cooker Beef Ragu

    If you’ve tried this slow cooker spaghetti bolognese, or any other recipe on the blog then let us know how you got on in the comments below - we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Slow cooker bolognese in a bowl.

    Slow Cooker Bolognese

    This Slow Cooker Bolognese recipe tastes authentically Italian - it's rustic, rich, bursting with herby tomato goodness and the meat is melt in your mouth.
    4.95 from 39 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 3 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours 7 minutes
    Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of a cow's head.
    Meat
    An illustration of a wine glass.
    Sulphites
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 403kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 2 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion peeled and diced
    • 6 mushrooms diced
    • 1 large carrot peeled and diced
    • 3 garlic cloves crushed
    • 500 g beef mince
    • 800 g chopped tomatoes canned
    • 3 tablespoon tomato puree (tomato paste)
    • 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
    • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1 vegetable stock cube
    • 75 ml red wine
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 tablespoon dried basil

    Instructions

    • Prepare the vegetables.
    • Put 1 teaspoon of oil in to a large pan and add the onion, mushrooms, carrot and garlic and gently cook for 3 minutes. Set aside.
      2 teaspoon olive oil, 1 medium onion, 6 mushrooms, 1 large carrot, 3 garlic cloves
    • Put the rest of the oil in the same frying pan and add the beef mince. Gently cook for 3-4 minutes until browned.
      500 g beef mince
    • Add the vegetables to the slow cooker.
    • Add the browned meat to the slow cooker with the vegetables.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
      800 g chopped tomatoes, 3 tablespoon tomato puree, 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 vegetable stock cube, 75 ml red wine, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried basil

    Notes

    • You want the mince to be really broken up, rather than big chunks. So use a fork to break it all up whilst it is browning.
    • If you wanted to add a bit of creaminess to this dish, then add a glug of single cream about 15 minutes before the bolognese has finished and stir well.
    • Want to give the dish a veggie boost? Add some peppers and courgette and then stir in some spinach about 30 minutes before it is cooked.
    • Make sure the vegetables are finely chopped so that they are nice and soft.
    • Looking for a vegetarian bolognese? You could use just mushrooms or even Quorn mince or cooked lentils. Cooking times will vary though.
    • You don't have to add red wine to this dish, just simply leave it out with no need to replace it with anything.
    • Don't have a slow cooker? This can all be slow cooked in the oven at 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 for 2 to 3 hours.
    • For some extra flavour you can add some chopped and browned pancetta.
    • If the bolognese feels a little too thick once mixed with the pasta, then you can loosen it up a little with starchy pasta water.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion (pasta not inc.) | Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 570mg | Potassium: 1034mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2864IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 6mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily

      January 01, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so delicious, love that I can make it in the slow cooker!

      Reply
    2. Jen

      January 01, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      I love that my family eats this up and never even mentions the veggies inside. This is a total mom win! Thanks for such a delicious recipe.

      Reply
    3. Pam Greer

      January 01, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      This slow cooker bolognese is the perfect weeknight family dinner! Everyone loves it!

      Reply
    4. Kim

      January 01, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! It's so easy and tasty. I'll definitely be making this again and again!

      Reply
    5. Sophie Goel

      January 01, 2020 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      Yum!! Italian food is the way to my heart. And the slow cooker method is a great idea.

      Reply
    6. Glynis

      December 31, 2019 at 9:56 pm

      Hi
      There’s an error in the ingredients. You’ve said to use one onion peeled and diced then 6 onions diced. No mention of the mushrooms in the ingredients.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        December 31, 2019 at 11:17 pm

        Apologies, that should have said 6 mushrooms, not onions - it has been corrected now.

        Reply
        • Glynis

          December 31, 2019 at 11:36 pm

          Thanks Dannii

          Reply
    7. Beth

      December 31, 2019 at 4:26 pm

      5 stars
      We loved this bolognese recipe! My vege hating teenager even gobbled it up! Great addition to use the larger chunks of carrot!

      Reply
    8. Ana F.

      December 31, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      I'm making a bunch and freezing it like you said! This dish is delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    9. kim

      December 31, 2019 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this recipe! It was super easy to make and had so much flavor. I will definitely be making again!

      Reply
    10. Mahy

      December 31, 2019 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      There is something about this Bolognese recipe that make you want to try it straight away - can't wait to do exactly that! :-)

      Reply
    11. Danielle

      December 31, 2019 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I think I can literally feel the taste of this bolognese just by going through the post. It certainly looks delicious!

      Reply
    12. Emily Liao

      December 30, 2019 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      Bolognese is one of my favorite recipes, and I love how I can make this in my slow cooker! A staple recipe I will keep on hand.

      Reply
    13. Kelly Anthony

      December 30, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      What a great way to cook this bolognese low and slow without having to stand over the hot stove. Such a great idea!

      Reply
    14. Patty at Spoonabilities

      December 30, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      5 stars
      I could easily get hooked on this recipe! It is so hearty and full of flavor.

      Reply
    15. Noelle

      December 30, 2019 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      I never thought of making this in a slow cooker! Great idea, love all the flavors!

      Reply
    16. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

      December 30, 2019 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      I'm a huge bolognese fan -- it's one of the most meaty, homestyle Italian dishes. This looks absolutely delicious and I love the slow cooker aspect.

      Reply
    17. Emmeline

      December 30, 2019 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      Mm this recipe made me crave some nice slow cooked bolognese!! I don't have a slow cooker but will try to make this low and slow on the stove instead.

      Reply
    18. kim

      December 30, 2019 at 12:31 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! It was so easy with so much flavor! Will definitely be making again!

      Reply
    19. Jacqueline Meldrum

      December 30, 2019 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      I don't know why, but I've never made bolognese in my slow cooker. You've inspired me to give it a go. I'll try adding a splosh of balsamic next time too. Nice tip.

      Reply
    20. Tonje

      December 30, 2019 at 8:35 am

      5 stars
      I love a good bolognese, and I had never tried making it in the slow cooker before. It turned out perfect, this is my new favourite way of cooking the dish!

      Reply
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    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.

    Welcome! My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist, along with travel, home and family life and general happiness.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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