Slow cooker bolognese
Slow cooker bolognese is a great easy family dinner. It’s so simple and can make a quick mid week meal served with pasta, or be turned into something a bit more special like lasagne, or cannelloni.
Slow cooker spaghetti bolognese is a great family dinner. Spag bol is one of our favourite meals because it’s so simple and can make a quick mid week dinner served with pasta, or be turned into something a bit more special like lasagne, or cannelloni. Using the slow cooker is convenient, but also makes the sauce really rich and flavoursome. If you don’t have a slow cooker simply follow the steps below but cook everything together in one pan for 30 minutes+.
This recipe is for a large batch of sauce, so it leaves us with leftovers which we freeze for dinner another day.
Why use a slow cooker for a Bolognese sauce?
We like making Bolognese in a slow cooker because it allows the meat to soften and the flavours to fully intensify over time, giving a lovely flavourful, tender sauce. It’s also great if you have a busy schedule as you can make it ahead of time, and just need to cook the pasta when you’re ready to eat.
How can kids help to make the slow cooker bolognese?
If your kids want to help make this bolognese, there are a few age appropriate jobs for them. If they’re old enough, they can help peel and chop the vegetables. Really young kids might not be able to use a knife, but they can help peel an onion if you start it for them.
Your kids can also help to make the sauce – measuring and adding things like the tomato puree and the herbs and tins of tomatoes. It’s a really simple dinner to make. The slow cooker does all the hard work once you’ve added everything so it’s a great dinner for kids to help with.
Do you have to brown the mince before putting it in the slow cooker?
We always brown our mince before we put it in the slow cooker because I think you end up with a nicer flavour. It also means you can get rid of any excess fat before it goes in the slow cooker.
Will it be a disaster if you don’t brown it first? No. You’ll still get a tasty bolognese sauce, it’ll just be that much nicer if you take the time to brown it first.
Can you make this without a slow cooker?
Yes, we use the same recipe when we’re making this without our slow cooker. We might add a little extra liquid, and then simmer it on the hob for at least half an hour. The longer you can cook it though, the nice and richer the flavour, and the softer the meat which is why it’s so nice in the slow cooker.
Can I freeze slow cooked bolognese?
Absolutely! Slow cooker Bolognese freezes really well. In fact, we always cook a big batch so that we can freeze the leftovers. Allow the mince to cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Make sure you thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating it fully.
Can you make slow cooker bolognese in advance?
Yes. A beef ragu is a great dish to make ahead of time. You can prepare the sauce a day or two in advance and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. Reheat it either in the slow cooker or on the hob when you’re ready to serve it.
What kids of meat is best for a slow cooker spag bol?
Mince (or ground) beef or pork work well with a bolognese or you can use a combination of both meats. If you want a lower fat version, you could use minced turkey or chicken.
Other easy dinner ideas?
If you liked this slow cooked spag bol, you’ll love some of our other easy family friendly dinner ideas.
Slow cooker chili con carne
Steak bakes
Toad in the hole
Wagamama’s chicken Katsu curry
Chicken and chorizo skewers
Chicken, leek and mushroom pie
Useful equipment
You might need the following baking tools/gadgets to make this slow cooker bolognese
Slow cooker
Chopping board
Frying pan
Measuring spoons
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Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20 minutes plus 4 hours+ cooking
Serves: 8
Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
500g beef mince
2 carrots, sliced
1 pepper, chopped
1 stick, celery
2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
beef stock cube
1 tbsp tomato puree
a splash of Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Italian herbs
1 tbsp oregano
100ml red wine (or water)
Splash of milk
how to make slow cooker spaghetti bolognese
Prepare the vegetables
Get your kids to help peel the onion and garlic, then chop the onion into small pieces. Older children can also help to peel and chop the carrots, just make sure when they’re peeling that they do it away from their fingers, and be careful when using a knife.
Chop the pepper and celery into small pieces.
Cook the onions and garlic,
Heat some oil in a large non stick frying pan and fry the onion over a medium heat for a few minutes until it has softened. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute or two.
Brown the mince
Add the mince and cook for 5 minutes or so until it has browned.
Add the remaining bolognese ingredients
Transfer the mince to the slow cooker and then get your kids to help you add in the carrots, peppers, celery and tinned tomatoes. Give it all a stir with a wooden spoon.
Add the stock cube, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and herbs and 100ml of water (or red wine) and mix everything together one last time. Your kids should be able to help add all these ingredients – there’s no need to be too accurate with the herbs so it’s a good job for little chefs.
Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4+ hours.
Once it’s finished cooking, you can add a splash of milk. I think it adds a very slight creaminess to it, which goes down well with my kids (and me!)
Serve with pasta or use the beef ragu to make a lasagne or cannelloni.
Slow cooker beef ragu
Ingredients
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 500 g beef mince
- 2 carrots sliced
- 1 pepper chopped
- 2 400 g tins chopped tomatoes
- 1 beef stock cube
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 splash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 100 ml red wine or water
Instructions
Cook the onion and garlic
- Heat some oil in a large non stick frying pan and fry the onion over a medium heat for a few minutes until it has softened. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute or two.
Brown the mince
- Add the mince and cook for 5 minutes or so until it has browned.
Add the remaining ingredients
- Transfer to the slow cooker and stir in the carrots, peppers and tinned tomatoes.
- Add the stock cube, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and herbs and 100ml of water (or red wine) and mix everything together one last time.
- Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4+ hours.
- Serve with pasta or use the ragu to make a lasagne or cannelloni.
Pin slow cooker beef ragu for later
Similar recipes
If you liked this slow cooker bolognese you’ll love our slow cooker gammon in coke, our slow cooker pulled pork as well as our other easy dinner ideas for kids including:
Beef canelloni
Chicken and chorizo pasta
Italian sausage pasta
Creamy lemon chicken
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