Do you ever crave a huge, saucy bowl of spaghetti? Sometimes, we all just need a big dose of down-home, good-ole-Mama’s cookin’, and this Crockpot spaghetti bolognese sauce is just that. It’s the kind of sauce you dream about when you miss home or need a comfort meal.
Understanding the Magic of Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce
If you are wondering what bolognese sauce is, it’s just a fancy name for a meat-based sauce that comes from the region of Bologna, Italy. However, there is a distinct difference between this slow-cooked masterpiece and a 30-minute stove-top sauce.
The meat will fall apart in your mouth, and the velvety texture will leave you begging for another bite. You’ll slowly feel the heat from the red pepper build in your mouth, but the sweetness from the reduced merlot will balance it perfectly.
I originally got this recipe from RecipeTin Eats, but I have adapted it to my own particular taste. This is the best bolognese sauce ever; you simply HAVE to try it!
Step 1: Start with Onions and Garlic
Start by dicing a large onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Transfer these to a large saute pan and heat them in 1 tablespoon of oil until the onion has gone translucent. It will probably take about 5-7 minutes. Put those in the bottom of your slow cooker and turn it to LOW.
No time for a sauce that simmers all day?
The bakery's spaghetti bake has the slow-simmered flavor built in.
Step 2: Brown Your Protein
Using the same skillet, brown a pound of ground beef. I use a 90/10 combo, but you can also use 80/20 or ground turkey. When that is finished, add it to the slow cooker.
Step 3: Deglaze with Merlot
There are probably some browned bits of meat left in your pan. Perfect! Keep them there because you’ll want to scrape them off the sides as you reduce 1/2 cup of merlot. You can also use Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec but try to stay with a robust red wine. Don’t use a wine that you wouldn’t drink! If you don’t like to cook with wine, that’s no problem; beef or chicken broth will do just fine. Bring this to a simmer for a minute or two and then add it to the Crockpot.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Spices
Now comes the fun part! You’ll need a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 crushed beef bouillon cubes, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Mix those all around, and then add the spices: 1.5 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Step 5: Slow Cook for Maximum Flavor
Stir it all around, cover it, and cook it on LOW for 6 hours. I like to stir it throughout the day, but basically, that’s just an excuse to come and taste it! Like I said, this is the best spaghetti sauce in the world!