Description
This Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is a rich and hearty Italian classic made easy by slow cooking Italian sausage and a blend of tomatoes, herbs, and spices for 8 hours. Perfectly savory with a deep, complex flavor, it’s a fuss-free recipe that yields a delicious pasta sauce with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage Base
- 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
- 3 Tbsp minced onion flakes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp sugar
Herbs & Spices
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 1 tsp fennel seed
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink inside. This step develops flavor and cooks the meat before slow cooking.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the browned sausage to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the minced onion flakes, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, oregano, basil, fennel seed, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Slow cook the sauce: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8 hours. This long, slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken perfectly.
- Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, give the sauce a good stir and serve it hot over your favorite cooked pasta or use it in recipes that call for Bolognese sauce.
Notes
- Removing sausage from casings ensures even browning and easier mixing in the sauce.
- Slow cooking on low allows flavors to develop fully and creates a rich, thick sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can cook it on high for 4 hours instead.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste after cooking if desired.
- This sauce freezes well—store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
