Olivia Carter
Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish that is loved by many around the world. Traditionally, it is made by slowly simmering a rich tomato-based sauce with minced beef or pork, herbs, and spices. The flavors meld together over time, resulting in a delicious and hearty meal.
If you’re looking for a convenient and hands-off way to make this dish, using a slow cooker is the perfect solution. The slow cooker allows the ingredients to cook low and slow, resulting in tender meat and a sauce packed with flavors. Plus, it requires minimal effort, making it a great option for busy weekdays or lazy weekends.
To make spaghetti Bolognese in a slow cooker, you will need some essential ingredients such as minced beef (or pork), onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, carrots, celery, herbs (such as oregano and basil), and of course, spaghetti noodles. Feel free to customize the recipe to your taste by adding additional vegetables or spices.
Start by browning the minced beef in a pan to give it a nice caramelized exterior. This step is essential as it adds depth of flavor to the dish. Once the beef is browned, transfer it to the slow cooker along with all the other ingredients. Stir everything together, cover with the lid, and let it cook on a low setting for about 6-8 hours or on a high setting for 3-4 hours.
As the spaghetti Bolognese cooks, the flavors will develop, and the meat will become tender and juicy. The slow cooking process allows the ingredients to meld together, resulting in a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. Serve the Bolognese sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles, and garnish with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for an extra burst of flavor.
In conclusion, using a slow cooker to make spaghetti Bolognese is a convenient and delicious option. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender, resulting in a rich and flavorful sauce. Give it a try and enjoy this classic Italian dish with minimal effort!
How to Cook Spaghetti Bolognese Using a Slow Cooker
Making spaghetti bolognese in a slow cooker is a convenient and delicious way to prepare this classic Italian dish. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together and results in a rich and flavorful sauce. Follow these easy steps to make spaghetti bolognese using a slow cooker:
Ingredients:
- 500g ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (400g) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 250ml beef broth
- 400g spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions:
- Prepare the slow cooker: Turn on your slow cooker and set it to the low heat setting.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Add the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until softened.
- Add to slow cooker: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. This will allow the flavors to intensify and the sauce to thicken.
- Cook spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain.
- Serve: Serve the spaghetti topped with the slow-cooked bolognese sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy this homemade slow cooker spaghetti bolognese with your favorite garlic bread and a fresh salad for a delicious and comforting meal.
Select the Ingredients
Before you start making spaghetti bolognese in a slow cooker, gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
1. Ground Beef
You will need around 500 grams of ground beef. It’s best to use lean beef for a healthier option.
2. Onion and Garlic
One medium onion and a few cloves of garlic will give your spaghetti bolognese a flavorful base.
3. Carrots and Celery
About two medium-sized carrots and two celery stalks will add a hint of sweetness and crunch to the dish.
4. Canned Tomatoes
A can of crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes will provide the rich tomato base for your sauce.
5. Tomato Paste
A small can of tomato paste will help thicken the sauce and intensify the flavor.
6. Beef Broth
Half a cup of beef broth will add richness and depth to the sauce.
7. Dried Herbs and Spices
Season your spaghetti bolognese with a teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil, and thyme. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Spaghetti Pasta
Lastly, don’t forget to have your favorite spaghetti pasta on hand!
By gathering all these ingredients beforehand, you’ll be fully prepared to make a delicious and hearty spaghetti bolognese in your slow cooker. Happy cooking!
Prep the Vegetables
Preparing the vegetables is an important step in making slow cooker spaghetti bolognese. It is essential to have the vegetables chopped and ready to go before starting to cook.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
Start by finely chopping the onion and adding it to a bowl.
Next, peel and finely chop the carrots, adding them to the same bowl.
Finely chop the celery stalks and add them to the bowl as well.
Mince the garlic cloves and set them aside.
Once all the vegetables are prepped, you’re ready to start cooking!
Brown the Meat
To make a delicious spaghetti bolognese in a slow cooker, the first step is to brown the meat. This will give the dish a nice and rich flavor. Here’s how to do it:
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a wooden spoon.
- Cook the beef until it is browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning.
- Once the meat is browned, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to the slow cooker.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can also add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet when browning the meat.
- Make sure to use lean ground beef to avoid excessive fat in the spaghetti bolognese.
Browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker will enhance the overall taste of the spaghetti bolognese, making it a hearty and flavorful dish.
Combine and Add Flavors
Once the meat and vegetables are cooked, it’s time to add the flavors that make spaghetti bolognese so delicious. Start by adding the tomato puree to the slow cooker, stirring it into the meat mixture until well combined. This will give the sauce a rich, tomatoey base.
Next, it’s time to add the herbs and spices. Measure out the dried oregano, basil, and thyme, and sprinkle them over the meat mixture. These herbs will add a savory note to the sauce and complement the flavors of the beef and vegetables.
For some extra depth of flavor, you can also add a bay leaf and a pinch of red pepper flakes. The bay leaf adds a subtle, earthy flavor, while the red pepper flakes give the sauce a hint of heat. Be careful not to add too much, as you can always adjust the spiciness later.
Once the herbs and spices are added, it’s time to add the liquid ingredients. Pour in the canned tomatoes, crushing them with a spoon or your hands as you add them to the slow cooker. This will help to break down the tomatoes and release their juices, creating a rich and flavorful sauce.
Finally, it’s time to add the liquids that will help to cook the spaghetti and add even more flavor. Pour in the beef broth and the red wine, stirring everything together until well combined. The beef broth adds a savory richness to the sauce, while the red wine adds depth and complexity.
| Ingredients: | Measurements: |
|---|---|
| Tomato puree | 1/4 cup |
| Dried oregano | 1 teaspoon |
| Dried basil | 1 teaspoon |
| Dried thyme | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Bay leaf | 1 |
| Red pepper flakes | Pinch |
| Canned tomatoes | 1 can (14 ounces) |
| Beef broth | 1 cup |
| Red wine | 1/2 cup |
Slow Cook the Sauce
One of the great advantages of using a slow cooker to make spaghetti Bolognese is that it allows the flavors to develop and intensify over time. To achieve this, start by slow cooking the sauce.
Begin by heating a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery to the pan and sauté them until they become soft and translucent. This will take approximately 5 minutes.
Next, add the minced garlic to the pan and cook it for an additional minute. Be sure to stir it constantly to prevent it from burning.
Now it’s time to add the ground beef. Break the meat up with a wooden spoon and cook it until it is browned and cooked through.
Pour the cooked mixture into the slow cooker. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, beef stock, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.
Season the sauce with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and basil. You can also add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Once the sauce is seasoned, place the lid on the slow cooker and cook it on low heat for 6-8 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld together and create a rich, flavorful sauce.
After the sauce is done cooking, it is ready to be served over cooked spaghetti noodles. Simply cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, drain it, and then top it with the slow-cooked Bolognese sauce.
Enjoy the delicious flavors that come from slow cooking your spaghetti Bolognese sauce in a slow cooker!
Cook the Spaghetti and Serve
While the sauce is simmering in the slow cooker, it’s time to cook the spaghetti noodles. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add a generous amount of salt to the pot. This will help season the pasta as it cooks.
Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot and cook them according to the package instructions. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Cook the noodles until they are al dente, which means they are firm to the bite but still cooked through.
Drain the Noodles
Once the noodles are cooked, carefully pour them into a colander to drain off the water. Give the colander a gentle shake to remove any excess water from the noodles.
Serve with Bolognese Sauce
To serve the spaghetti bolognese, divide the drained noodles onto individual plates or bowls. Ladle a generous amount of the bolognese sauce over the noodles, making sure to get plenty of the meat and vegetables in each serving. If desired, garnish with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh basil.
Serve the spaghetti bolognese immediately while it’s still warm. This hearty and flavorful dish is sure to impress your family and friends!
Questions and answers
What ingredients do I need to make spaghetti bolognese in a slow cooker?
To make spaghetti bolognese in a slow cooker, you will need the following ingredients: minced beef, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, beef stock, dried herbs (such as oregano and basil), salt, pepper, and, of course, spaghetti.
Can I use something else instead of minced beef?
Yes, you can substitute minced beef with minced pork, minced chicken, or even a combination of multiple types of mince. Each will give the bolognese a slightly different flavor, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite version.
How long should I cook spaghetti bolognese in a slow cooker?
Spaghetti bolognese should be cooked in a slow cooker on low heat for 6-8 hours. This allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can cook it on high heat for 3-4 hours instead.
Can I add vegetables to my spaghetti bolognese?
Absolutely! Vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini can be a great addition to your spaghetti bolognese. Simply chop them up and add them to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. They will enhance the flavor and provide extra nutrients to your dish.
