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Slow cooker bolognese.
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5 from 9 votes

Easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese (no browning)

An easy slow cooker spaghetti bolognese recipe, perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends! It's rich, tender, and oh so tasty! No browning required.
Course Pasta
Cuisine British, Italian
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 8 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 780kcal
Author Beth Sachs

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Chopping Board
  • Knife
  • Vegetable Peeler
  • Mini Chopper

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary
  • 500 g Minced Beef 5% fat or less
  • 3 Streaky Bacon Rashers chopped
  • 1 Onion finely chopped
  • 3 Garlic Cloves finely chopped
  • 1 Carrot finely chopped
  • 1 Celery Stick finely chopped
  • 400 ml Passata
  • 60 ml Milk
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree
  • 2 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Beef Stock Pot I use knorr
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 2 tablespoon Oregano dried or fresh
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley or Basil, to garnish
  • 400 g Spaghetti or other long pasta

Instructions

  • Place the finely chopped vegetables in the base of the slow cooker basin.
    1 Onion, 3 Garlic Cloves, 1 Carrot, 1 Celery Stick
  • Add the minced beef and bacon. Start breaking the beef up a bit with a wooden spoon.
    500 g Minced Beef, 3 Streaky Bacon Rashers
  • Add all of the other ingredients (not the spaghetti or fresh parsley garnish!) and mix with a wooden spoon until everything is combined and there are no big lumps of minced beef left. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 5. In order to thicken the sauce without using cornflour, take the lid off for the last hour of cooking.
    400 ml Passata, 60 ml Milk, 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree, 2 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar, 1 Beef Stock Pot, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 2 Bay Leaves, 2 tablespoon Oregano, 1 teaspoon Sugar, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Cook the spaghetti according to instructions, then serve with the slow cooker bolognese, garnished with fresh herbs and some grated Parmesan if you like!
    400 g Spaghetti, 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley

Video

Notes

Top Tips:
  • This recipe doesn't require browning of the vegetables and minced beef prior to cooking them in the slow cooker. Therefore, it's best to use very lean minced beef (5% fat) so you don't get a layer of fat on top of the sauce. You'll also need to cut your vegetables as small as possible to ensure they become tender and 'melt' into the ragu during slow cooking. I use a mini chopper for this!
  • The minced beef will need to be broken up with a wooden spoon as you mix all of the ingredients together in the slow cooker. Don't leave any large lumps lingering.
  • You can use dried or fresh herbs. If you're using dried herbs, check the best before date! You don't want to use stale tasting herbs that have been sitting in your cupboard for years.
  • The sugar is really important in this recipe as it helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Don't skip it!
  • To thicken the sauce without using cornflour or thickening granules, take the lid off the slow cooker for the last hour of cooking!
 
Variations:
  • Add more vegetables to the sauce. Finely chopped mushrooms or courgettes work well.
  • If you have a bottle of red wine open, add a glug and omit the red wine vinegar.
  • Use half beef mince and half pork mince for a lighter, less rich flavour.
  • Love a bit of heat? Add a small chopped chilli.
  • Add chorizo instead of bacon, or make my easy chorizo bolognese recipe!
  • Make a double batch (you'll need a 6.5 litre slow cooker to do this), and freeze half for another day.
 
Storage:
  • Store - The cooked bolognese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat - Reheat until piping hot in the microwave.
  • Freeze - The bolognese can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost fully in the fridge, before reheating in the microwave.
 
Nutrition:
The 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.
 
Nutrition Facts
Easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese (no browning)
Amount per Serving
Calories
780
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
28
g
43
%
Saturated Fat
 
11
g
69
%
Trans Fat
 
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
12
g
Cholesterol
 
91
mg
30
%
Sodium
 
441
mg
19
%
Potassium
 
1209
mg
35
%
Carbohydrates
 
93
g
31
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
12
g
13
%
Protein
 
38
g
76
%
Vitamin A
 
3343
IU
67
%
Vitamin C
 
18
mg
22
%
Calcium
 
141
mg
14
%
Iron
 
7
mg
39
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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