This Slow Cooker Bolognese recipe is so easy, no browning needed. Just leave it to cook all day and come home to a thick, rich beef ragu. Perfect to top spaghetti or use in lasagne.
Is there a more classic midweek dinner than Spag Bol?! 
I’ve taken this family favourite dish and and reinvented to be cooked while you’re busy all day, totally hands off, no faffing. Meet my Slow Cooker Bolognese.
After lots of testing, this version doesn’t need any browning and I promise, it’s still full of flavour. The slow cooking develops the flavours and leaves a rich, thick sauce that you can use over spaghetti, in lasagne or to top a baked potato. I hope you love it as much as we do. 
This recipe is also part of a series of 9 (yes – NINE) new Slow Cooker recipes I’m posting over the coming weeks. Watch me cook them on Instagram and TikTok.
You’ll love this recipe because:
Soft and tender beef.
Rich and delicious sauce.
Perfect for batch cooking and freezing.
Soft and tender beef.
FAQs about the Slow Cooker Bolognese Recipe
Which Slow Cooker do you use and recommend?
I use: Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker (it’s light and you can use it for browning on the hob too).
For induction hob users: Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker
Also! Top tip, buy a WiFi plug for it so you can switch it on or off from your phone when you’re at work? What a time to be alive.. I have these: Tp Link Tapo Smart Plug (Also you can set up with your Google or Alexa to say “Switch on Slow Cooker” WHATTT 
Can you put raw mince into a slow cooker?
Yes you can! The reasons to brown mince before cooking in the slow cooker (or crock pot) is to add flavour, to avoid excess fat and to stop the meat clumping.
You can avoid needing to do that by; adding lots of extra flavour, using lean mince and chopping up the mince before adding.
All that said, if you do want to brown the mince, go for it, I’m just always looking for a time saving hack.
What type of mince should I use?
I like to use a 5% beef fat mince as it avoids excess fattiness in the sauce (as none will be cooking off).
Any beef mince will work fine though.
Can I cook this in the oven or on the hob instead?
This recipe is designed for the slow cooker so I’d suggest you use my oven Bolognese recipe here: Hidden Vegetable Bolognese.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes, you can freeze any leftovers. Defrost and reheat thoroughly when you want to enjoy them.
Alternatively, you can freeze all of the ingredients in a bag raw as a ‘dump’ meal and then cook.
Can I prepare this recipe the night before?
Yes. Throw everything for the initial cook into the slow cooker, pop the lid on, then store in the fridge overnight. In the morning put it into the slow cooker.
Fancy more ‘dump’ recipes?
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew – The classic winter warmer
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Just a handful of ingredients and SO tasty!
- Slow Cooker Beef Curry – Totally delicious and simple to make
Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this recipe. Please rate the recipe using the 
by the recipe.
Also, if you’d like to show me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.
Slow Cooker Bolognese {No Browning Recipe!}
Ingredients
To Slow Cook:
- 500 g Beef Mince
- 800 g Tinned Tomatoes 2 x 400g Cans
- 3 Sticks Celery Chopped finely
- 3 Carrots Peeled and chopped finely
- 1 Onion Peeled and chopped finely
- 6 Cloves Garlic Peeled and crushed
- 75 g Tomato Puree
- 125 ml Red Wine
- 2 Beef Stock Cubes
- 2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 3 Bay Leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To Serve:
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 15 g Fresh Basil Finely chopped
Instructions
- Put all of the slow cook ingredients into the slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and fresh basil.
Optional:
- If you want to serve with spaghetti, boil the spaghetti for 2 - 3 minutes less than the usual cooking time. Drain and add to the bolognese sauce, with a splash or two of reserved cooking water. Stir well and allow the pasta to absorb the sauce a little and soften.
Notes
Chopping your mince finely before adding to the slow cooker will avoid any big meat lumps. Bay Leaves
Fresh or dried is fine, remove before serving. Vegetables
I buy a 'soffritto' mix if available to save having to chop the celery, carrots and onions. A 400g or 500g bag is fine. Nutritional Information
The nutritional information does not include any spaghetti or other dishes to serve.
Nutrition
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