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Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce | Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this bolognese-style sauce is made in the slow cooker.  Just boil some pasta and your dinner is ready! | https://thechunkychef.com
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4.29 from 14 votes

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this bolognese-style sauce is made in the slow cooker.  Just boil some pasta and your dinner is ready!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 10 minutes
Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 428kcal
Author: The Chunky Chef

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
  • 1 onion minced
  • 2 carrots, very finely chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 - 14 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 - 24 ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce (I use Newman's Own)
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 tsp better than chicken bouillon
  • 3 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp sugar (to taste)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking until browned, about 5-6 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef and sausage as it cooks.  The last 2-3 minutes, add onion, carrot and garlic to beef and cook.  Drain in a colander to remove excess grease. 
  • Place meat mixture into bottom of slow cooker. Add remaining sauce ingredients and stir to combine.  Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Notes

If desired, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream at the end of cooking, cover and cook another 5-10 minutes to warm it through.  Cream really rounds out the flavors and adds a beautiful richness, but it's optional

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal