by Diana Rattray
This great tasting Bolognese sauce cooks to perfection in the slow cooker. It’s a classic Bolognese made with ground meat, pancetta, vegetables, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and cream. I love the slow cooker for this sauce, but you may also make it in a Dutch oven. Follow the instructions for browning ingredients, then bring everything except the cream and Parmesan. Cover and simmer over low heat on the stovetop for 1 hour. Taste for seasonings, add the cream and Parmesan cheese, and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes longer.
This short rib Bolognese is one of my favorite recipes, and it is incredibly good with pappardelle or fettuccine. Or you might enjoy this Instant Pot beef and farfalle dinner.
PrintSlow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
This well-seasoned meaty Bolognese sauce cooks to perfection in the slow cooker. Serve the classic sauce with broad, flat pasta or spaghetti.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 4 ounces pancetta or bacon, diced
- 1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped or shredded
- 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 cup dry red wine
- 1 can ( 28 ounces ) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 small bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
- 2/3 cup cream, heavy or light
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, Dutch oven, or stovetop safe slow cooker insert, heat the butter and olive oil. Add the ground beef, pork, and pancetta or bacon, along with the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef and pork are no longer pink. Stir in the garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes longer. Stir in the tomato paste and red wine. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
- To the sauce mixture add the, crushed and diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and basil. Bring to a simmer.
- Transfer the sauce to the slow cooker; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
- Add the cream Parmesan cheese and cook for 30 to 45 minutes.
