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Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

A rich, slow-simmered Italian meat sauce made easy in the slow cooker.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 260

Ingredients
  

Bolognese
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 0.5 cup whole milk stir in at end

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Slow cooker
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly.
  4. Transfer mixture to slow cooker.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and bay leaf.
  6. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
  7. Stir in milk for the final 15 minutes.
  8. Remove bay leaf and serve.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a Parmesan rind during cooking.