Slow Cooker Bolognese

The slow cooker takes the work and mess out of simmering an Italian-inspired Bolognese meat sauce that's perfect for ladling over a plate of hot pasta.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 245 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 ½ cups whole milk, divided
• 1 cup finely chopped baby carrots

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the carrots, onion, and garlic until tender, about 10 minutes. Place the ground beef into the skillet and cook and stir, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until browned. Drain off excess fat from the skillet, and pour in 1 cup milk. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the milk is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Place the beef mixture into a slow cooker, and set the cooker to High. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 2 hours. Mix in 1/2 cup milk and Parmesan cheese, stir well, and cook for 2 more hours.