Monday 10 November 2014

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese is probably a staple dinner meal for most families. My daughter loves any type of pasta so I usually make at least one type of pasta dish a week. It's a very simple recipe and most people have their own personal take on it. I find that time in the evenings once we get home from school seems to fly by and any chance I can get to prepare a meal more quickly I will take it. By putting this in the slow cooker all day it means all the preparation is done earlier in the day. When you come home you will just need to cook the pasta and it's ready to serve.

As you can see in the photograph above I served it with fusilli rather than spaghetti as Master JibberJabber finds it easier to spear. I just added carrots this time but if I have them in the fridge I also add mushrooms and chopped broccoli stalk. Peas and sliced peppers also work well but I would add them only when the pasta is put on to cook.


Serves 4

Equipment: Slow cooker/Crockpot, large saucepan

Ingredients

1 tbsp (15ml) Oil, sunflower or vegetable
1 Large onion, sliced
1 Clove garlic, crushed
1lb (500g) Minced beef
400g Tin chopped tomatoes
2 Carrots, diced
2 tbsp (30ml) Tomato purée
1 tsp (5ml) Henderson's Relish or Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp (5ml) Dried mixed herbs
½ pint (280ml) Beef stock

To serve

250-300g Pasta shapes or spaghetti
Grated cheese of your choice

Method

1. Pre-heat the slow cooker to HIGH.
2. In the saucepan heat the oil and gently fry the onions and garlic until the onions have softened.
3. Add the mince and cook until the mince has browned. Drain off any excess oil
4. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and bring to the boil.
5. Transfer to the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. This helps to reduce the sauce.
6. Turn down to LOW and cook for a further 6-8 hours.
7. Serve with the cooked pasta and cheese.

Linking to Emily at A Mummy Too for Recipe of the Week and Lucy at Supergolden Bakes for #CookBlogShare.


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7 comments:

  1. I think I have made bolognese sauce so many times that I could probably do it in my sleep. It is so versatile and perfect for fussy kids. I haven't tried making in the slow cooker but I think that's definitely a great idea! Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare

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  2. Great idea to cook it in the slow cooker, looks delicious.

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  3. I always cook mine in the slow cooker as well, it tastes so much better if you allow everything to work together slowly x

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  4. Hmmmm more things to make in my slow cooker. And my kiddeos love the fusilli too.

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  5. Looks delicious! I would't have thought to cook bolognese in the slow cooker, I'll give it a go.

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  6. I wonder if you could make it in the slow cooker without browning it all first....we do this with Chilli Con Carne so maybe....can you tell I'm all about saving time wherever I can?!

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    1. I put my chilli con carne straight in the slow cooker as well but that's the only way I have ever cooked it! I may try my famous 'bung it all in' method next time!

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