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Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

There’s something comforting about a warm bowl of spaghetti Bolognese—the rich, meaty sauce clinging to perfectly cooked pasta, filling your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma that makes everyone gather around the table. But let’s be honest: traditional Bolognese can take hours to prepare on the stovetop, stirring and simmering to perfection. That’s where the slow cooker becomes a game-changer.
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Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
  2. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  3. Transfer the cooked beef mixture to your slow cooker.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf until well combined.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
  6. About 20 minutes before serving, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, then drain.
  7. Remove and discard the bay leaf from the sauce. Serve the Bolognese sauce over the cooked spaghetti and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  8. Enjoy!