This Slow Cooker Bolognese recipe is honestly one of my favourite things to cook in my slow cooker.

It takes really minimal prep, much less than a traditional bolognese, and the results are way better in my opinion! I switch out minced beef for braising steak so the meat is super tender – I’m not a fan of minced beef in the slow cooker at all.

The first steps to making this Slow Cooker Bolognese is to brown off the beef and onions – this step is really important. It develops the flavours and makes the dish much richer in taste.

You can choose to use either red wine or water in this recipe depending on your preference. I love either version. My husband adores the richness of the dish with red wine, whilst my mum likes the ‘lightness’ of the dish with water. I switch it up each time I cook it.

I tend to lean towards using water in the summer months and red wine in the winter. But always serve this with wholegrain spaghetti and some garlic baguette.

This bolognese is easy to prepare and delightful to come home to. I opt for this recipe over traditional stovetop spaghetti bolognese for the taste and convenience.

How to make Bolognese in the slow cooker

Scroll down for recipe card and ingredient list

1. Heat oil in a large non-stick pan, or in your slow cooker pan if you have a sizzle & simmer model

2. Add the beef and onions to the hot oil

3. Cook until the beef and onions are browned (5-10 minutes on medium high)

4. Then add the Italian seasoning

5. Then add the tinned tomatoes

6. And red wine or water (150ml is just over 1/4 the tin – so I use the tin to roughly measure)

7.  Then add the rest of the ingredients (except cornflour)

8. And cook (lid on) on low for 5 hours or high for 3

9. Once the bolognese has cooked check if the sauce is thick enough for your liking. If it needs to be thicker take 1 tbsp of sauce and mix with the cornflour

10. Stir this into the bolognese to thicken the sauce

11. Then serve! On a bed of spaghetti, topped with cheese (Optional)

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Yield: 6 People

Slow Cooker Beef Bolognese

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An easy, delicious slow cooker bolognese recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 400g Braising Steak
• 1 Onion
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 400g Tinned Tomatoes
• 150ml Red Wine OR water
• 1 Beef Stock Cube
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Cornflour

To Serve (Optional)

• Spaghetti, Garlic Bread & Grated Cheese

Instructions

1. Finely dice the onion and garlic cloves
2. Chop the braising steak into bite-size pieces
3. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick pan (or use the slow cooker pan if you have a sizzle & simmer model)
4. Add the steak and onion to the hot oil and cook for 3 minutes, until both are browning
5. Then add the garlic clove and cook for 1 minute
6. Next add the Italian seasoning and allow to cook for 30 seconds
7. Then add the remaining ingredients
8. Stir to combine
9. Then pour all into the slow cooker, and cook for high for 3 hours or low for 5 with the lid on
10. Once cooked, take a spoonful of the sauce and put it into a cup/bowl. Add the tbsp of cornflour and mix to form a paste.
11. Pour this paste back into the slow cooker and stir - this will thicken the sauce.
12. Once cooked, stir and serve on a bed of spaghetti bolognese.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 368Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 97mgSodium 871mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 3gSugar 5gProtein 29g