Home 10 ingredients or less Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

by Laura

I am always on the look out for recipes I can make in my crock pot.  I recently came across this recipe for Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce at a site called Framed- My Life One Picture at a Time and adapted it slightly.

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce | realmomkitchen.com

Bolognese sauce is a meat based sauce for pasta.  It’s more meaty that your regular spaghetti sauce.  This recipe also makes a ton.  I was able to safe half of it for another meal.  It would work great to freeze also.  If you want your sauce to have some more zip to it, you could also substitute some of the ground beef with Italian sausage. My family loved it just as is.

Here is what you need to make the

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

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Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 (14 oz) cans chopped tomatoes, drained
  • 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 Tbsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook beef in large skillet until browned.
  2. Transfer to 5 quart slow cooker. Stir in all remaining ingredients, mix well.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  4. Serve over your favorite pasta. Happy sigh.
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This is the original photo from this post. The above photo was updated in March 2018.

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62 comments

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce – Flashback Friday | Real Mom Kitchen March 19, 2018 - 5:21 pm

[…] Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce […]

Reply
Gregory Aloisi December 14, 2017 - 11:02 am

You+are+absolutely+correct+on+that+point+Joe.+It’s+not+a+true+bolognese.+But+it+is+good+none+the+less.

Reply
Gregory Aloisi December 14, 2017 - 10:58 am

Yes,+any+sweetener+can+be+used+and+take+some+of+the+acidity+away.

Reply
Food: What’s for Dinner? | Lost in Laundry March 3, 2015 - 7:34 am

[…] made your own sauce in the crock pot! Y’all know I love my crock pot.  Omit the sugar in this recipe, we didn’t miss […]

Reply
Food: What’s for Dinner? | Lost in Laundry March 3, 2015 - 7:34 am

[…] made your own sauce in the crock pot! Y’all know I love my crock pot.  Omit the sugar in this recipe, we didn’t miss […]

Reply
debbie January 11, 2014 - 9:29 pm

could i substiture honey or agave for the sugar?

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debbie January 11, 2014 - 9:29 pm

could i substiture honey or agave for the sugar?

Reply
Sunny Drohan November 7, 2013 - 5:35 pm

Wow. I thought I made a great spaghetti sauce. This was amazing with the some additions. My husband absolutely loved it. Thank you.

Reply
Sunny Drohan November 7, 2013 - 5:35 pm

Wow. I thought I made a great spaghetti sauce. This was amazing with the some additions. My husband absolutely loved it. Thank you.

Reply
Sunny Drohan November 7, 2013 - 5:32 pm

This was so fabulous. All I added was 1 lb. Ground Sirloin and 1 lb hot sausage with casing removed per a reader’s suggestion and a good pinch of red pepper flakes and also added fresh basil along with the dried.
I cooked it for (7) seven hours on low and (1) hour on warm.
Will make this again and again. Thanks so much.
Also used just a little less sugar. Did not quite fill the 1/3 cup measure.

Reply
Sunny Drohan November 7, 2013 - 5:32 pm

This was so fabulous. All I added was 1 lb. Ground Sirloin and 1 lb hot sausage with casing removed per a reader’s suggestion and a good pinch of red pepper flakes and also added fresh basil along with the dried.
I cooked it for (7) seven hours on low and (1) hour on warm.
Will make this again and again. Thanks so much.
Also used just a little less sugar. Did not quite fill the 1/3 cup measure.

Reply
Jennylynn August 19, 2013 - 9:47 am

I wanted to tell you that I use this webpage every time I make crock pot spaghetti sauce now. It’s not just the recipe I love, which I do, but also your writing style. Thanks for publishing!

Reply
Jennylynn August 19, 2013 - 9:47 am

I wanted to tell you that I use this webpage every time I make crock pot spaghetti sauce now. It’s not just the recipe I love, which I do, but also your writing style. Thanks for publishing!

Reply
Cathy February 22, 2013 - 5:14 pm

You can use ground turkey and have great results!

Reply
Cathy February 22, 2013 - 5:14 pm

You can use ground turkey and have great results!

Reply
Brittany January 9, 2013 - 10:56 am

If I make this in the crockpot, can I freeze the leftovers? Can I freeze it before cooking in the crockpot?

Reply
Brittany January 9, 2013 - 10:56 am

If I make this in the crockpot, can I freeze the leftovers? Can I freeze it before cooking in the crockpot?

Reply
Gregory Aloisi December 14, 2017 - 10:59 am

Yes, it freezes well. Just ensure you put it in an airtight container or a freezer ziplock bag.

Reply
rogene December 15, 2012 - 12:21 pm

how many does that feed?

Reply
rogene December 15, 2012 - 12:21 pm

how many does that feed?

Reply
Menu Plan: Oct 28 « Just a Mama's Stories October 28, 2012 - 12:48 pm

[…] Rice & Bean “Stuffing” { This Recipe Minus the Peppers } Friday: Spaghetti with Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like […]

Reply
Menu Plan: Oct 28 « Just a Mama's Stories October 28, 2012 - 12:48 pm

[…] Rice & Bean “Stuffing” { This Recipe Minus the Peppers } Friday: Spaghetti with Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like […]

Reply
Rachael October 5, 2012 - 12:35 am

Kim, the sugar can be omitted, but, it requires a much much longer cooking time to cook out the acidity of the tomatoes.

Reply
Theresa March 11, 2014 - 6:51 am

You can also substitue about a 1/2 cup of red wine, as it contains sugars Also throwing in some minced carrots will work. I am Italian and everyone that I know uses Red Wine / and or minced carrots for taking acidity out of the ( gravy) sauce.

Reply
Rachael October 5, 2012 - 12:35 am

Kim, the sugar can be omitted, but, it requires a much much longer cooking time to cook out the acidity of the tomatoes.

Reply
Theresa March 11, 2014 - 6:51 am

You can also substitue about a 1/2 cup of red wine, as it contains sugars Also throwing in some minced carrots will work. I am Italian and everyone that I know uses Red Wine / and or minced carrots for taking acidity out of the ( gravy) sauce.

Reply
Douglas March 20, 2018 - 12:40 pm

I agree. most traditional Bolognese sauce contains carrots.

Reply
Kathy June 25, 2021 - 7:14 pm

This is amazing! I added less sugar and threw in some Worcester sauce. My husband ate it four times in two days. It’s definitely in my favorites.

Reply
Joy September 3, 2012 - 8:14 am

I just wanted you to know I made your delicious sauce and then used it to make lasagna for a big family get-together last night. It was the best lasagna I have ever had. My family loved it and people were asking for seconds. For the sugar, I used 3 tablespoons (packed) of brown sugar, and the sweetness level was just right for me. I really liked the warm flavor of brown sugar with the tomatoes and garlic and beef. Thank you for an outstanding recipe! 🙂

Reply
Joy September 3, 2012 - 8:14 am

I just wanted you to know I made your delicious sauce and then used it to make lasagna for a big family get-together last night. It was the best lasagna I have ever had. My family loved it and people were asking for seconds. For the sugar, I used 3 tablespoons (packed) of brown sugar, and the sweetness level was just right for me. I really liked the warm flavor of brown sugar with the tomatoes and garlic and beef. Thank you for an outstanding recipe! 🙂

Reply
Recipe Recap, week of 8/19 | Less Whine, More Wine August 26, 2012 - 6:55 pm

[…] Pasta with Crock Pot Bolognese […]

Reply
Recipe Recap, week of 8/19 | Less Whine, More Wine August 26, 2012 - 6:55 pm

[…] Pasta with Crock Pot Bolognese […]

Reply
One-Word Wednesday | Katy Upperman August 22, 2012 - 4:13 am

[…] Comforting {Pasta with homemade Bolognese} […]

Reply
One-Word Wednesday | Katy Upperman August 22, 2012 - 4:13 am

[…] Comforting {Pasta with homemade Bolognese} […]

Reply
Samantha August 7, 2012 - 12:17 pm

What is the yield for this recipe?

Reply
Samantha August 7, 2012 - 12:17 pm

What is the yield for this recipe?

Reply
Salvation Bolognese | Three Clever Sisters May 15, 2012 - 6:06 am

[…] hand did not get any. For other takes on bolognese sauce in the slow cooker, check out the links here and here. Share this:EmailPrintDigg Pin ItShare on TumblrLike this:LikeBe the first to like this […]

Reply
Salvation Bolognese | Three Clever Sisters May 15, 2012 - 6:06 am

[…] hand did not get any. For other takes on bolognese sauce in the slow cooker, check out the links here and here. Share this:EmailPrintDigg Pin ItShare on TumblrLike this:LikeBe the first to like this […]

Reply
Heather January 10, 2012 - 5:26 pm

Made this today, it was delicious. I have tried so many different sauce recipes and this one is a keeper. I did use the Dei Fratelli chopped tomatoes with herbs and olive oil, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly.

Reply
Heather January 10, 2012 - 5:26 pm

Made this today, it was delicious. I have tried so many different sauce recipes and this one is a keeper. I did use the Dei Fratelli chopped tomatoes with herbs and olive oil, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly.

Reply
Eva August 29, 2011 - 7:44 pm

This is a wonderful sauce, but I would suggest that you saute the onions for a few minutes before browning the beef. They were still a little raw.

Reply
Eva August 29, 2011 - 7:44 pm

This is a wonderful sauce, but I would suggest that you saute the onions for a few minutes before browning the beef. They were still a little raw.

Reply
Kathy January 23, 2010 - 11:32 am

I love the slow cooker – it’s so perfect for making pasta sauce. I have a veggie sauce recipe on my blog (https://healthyslowcooking.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/slow-cooker-meatless-sausage-mushroom-ragu/) if you’re interested.

Reply
Kathy January 23, 2010 - 11:32 am

I love the slow cooker – it’s so perfect for making pasta sauce. I have a veggie sauce recipe on my blog (https://healthyslowcooking.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/slow-cooker-meatless-sausage-mushroom-ragu/) if you’re interested.

Reply
Laura January 14, 2010 - 3:15 pm

The traditional sauce includes tomato paste, carrots, onions, beef, pancetta, celery, meat broth, red wine and optionally milk or cream. However a sauce can be considered bolognese if it is meat based sauce for pasta.

Reply
Laura January 14, 2010 - 3:15 pm

The traditional sauce includes tomato paste, carrots, onions, beef, pancetta, celery, meat broth, red wine and optionally milk or cream. However a sauce can be considered bolognese if it is meat based sauce for pasta.

Reply
Joe January 14, 2010 - 2:55 pm

Isn’t this supposed to have milk or cream? Otherwise it’s just meat sauce.

Reply
Joe January 14, 2010 - 2:55 pm

Isn’t this supposed to have milk or cream? Otherwise it’s just meat sauce.

Reply
Garlic Herb Braid | Real Mom Kitchen January 14, 2010 - 6:30 am

[…] a try.  In fact, you MUST all try this bread.  Eat it with a bowl of soup or eat it with the slow cooker bolognese I posted yesterday.  No matter, what just eat it!  I even used the leftovers to make a sandwich […]

Reply
Garlic Herb Braid | Real Mom Kitchen January 14, 2010 - 6:30 am

[…] a try.  In fact, you MUST all try this bread.  Eat it with a bowl of soup or eat it with the slow cooker bolognese I posted yesterday.  No matter, what just eat it!  I even used the leftovers to make a sandwich […]

Reply
robin wieder January 12, 2010 - 8:06 am

this is simply comfort food at its finest…this is wonderful sauce- coming home from work- the whole house smells like love..thanks!!! love it! love your recipes..YUM!

Reply
robin wieder January 12, 2010 - 8:06 am

this is simply comfort food at its finest…this is wonderful sauce- coming home from work- the whole house smells like love..thanks!!! love it! love your recipes..YUM!

Reply
Laura January 11, 2010 - 12:13 pm

Kim,
The sugar in the sauce is intended to bring out the tomato flavor. I most definitely think you can reduce the sugar. You could even try to leave it out.

Reply
Laura January 11, 2010 - 12:13 pm

Kim,
The sugar in the sauce is intended to bring out the tomato flavor. I most definitely think you can reduce the sugar. You could even try to leave it out.

Reply
Karmen January 11, 2010 - 8:41 am

I am wondering the same thing as Kim although I am certain the sugar is there to help cut the acidity of all that tomato…What do you think?

Reply
Kate July 11, 2012 - 9:42 pm

You can add a decent pinch of baking soda instead of sugar to cut the acid. For this size of recipe, maybe a few teaspoons?

Reply
Karmen January 11, 2010 - 8:41 am

I am wondering the same thing as Kim although I am certain the sugar is there to help cut the acidity of all that tomato…What do you think?

Reply
Kate July 11, 2012 - 9:42 pm

You can add a decent pinch of baking soda instead of sugar to cut the acid. For this size of recipe, maybe a few teaspoons?

Reply
Linda January 11, 2010 - 8:12 am

Yummy. I have always made my sauce in the crockpot and this recipe looks like an upgrade. Will be trying this one soon. Thanks.

Reply
Linda January 11, 2010 - 8:12 am

Yummy. I have always made my sauce in the crockpot and this recipe looks like an upgrade. Will be trying this one soon. Thanks.

Reply
Kim January 11, 2010 - 7:49 am

Laura – this looks heavenly, especially with all the garlic! Do you think the sugar could be reduced or taken out and have it still taste the same?

Reply
Kim January 11, 2010 - 7:49 am

Laura – this looks heavenly, especially with all the garlic! Do you think the sugar could be reduced or taken out and have it still taste the same?

Reply

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