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This Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta is best for Sunday nights, but easy enough for any weeknight. Slow cooked Italian Bolognese sauce with a mix of spicy meat, vegetables, tomatoes, herbs, and rich red wine. Serve this sauce over rigatoni pasta and top with homemade parmesan breadcrumbs. All it needs is a side of crusty bread for mopping up all that sauce. You simply can’t go wrong with this hearty Sunday Bolognese recipe. Added bonus? You can make this in the Instant Pot or simmer on the stove.
Another October Monday, another easy slow cooker dinner that’s cozy and delicious. Last week I shared my healthier take on a slow cooker creamy tortellini vegetable soup. This week…we’ve got something a little cozier and heartier.
Both are equally delicious and equally great for fall (or Sunday nights). But if you’re in the mood for rich, saucy pasta, this is your recipe. It’s classic, but yet updated and even made with a few healthy swaps as well. But most importantly? It’s just really delicious, stick to your bones, feel-good kind of comfort food.
The background story.
As we head deeper and deeper into fall I’m really leaning into the slow cooked meals that are easy, hearty, and delicious. Enter this slow cooker bolognese. Also known as the sauce you can make on a Sunday, but then enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
Growing up, I didn’t know what a Sunday sauce was. This wasn’t something my mom made or a recipe passed down through the family. No, this is a sauce I somehow created a few years back because it sounded really comforting to me. The sauce I made years ago, I simply called Crockpot Sunday Sauce. It’s made with short ribs, and it’s delicious.
It’s that sauce that inspired today’s “Sunday sauce”. This sauce is made Bolognese style with a mix of ground meat, vegetables, and rich red wine. It is the easiest to throw together, but yet it’s so full of hearty, slow cooked, Italian flavors.
I’ve been excited to share the recipe for days!
The simple steps.
Making this Sunday Bolognese is easy. You can make it one of three ways. Slow cook all day in your slow cooker, simmer all day on the stove, or speed up the process and cook in the Instant Pot. I prefer the slow cooker, but either method yields a delicious sauce.
Let’s walk through the slow cooker steps.
Just like any slow cooker meat-based recipe, start out by browning the meat. It’s a bit of an annoying step, but one that is needed to achieve the best flavor. For the meat, I love using a mix of lean ground beef or chicken and spicy ground Italian chicken sausage. The sausage is not traditional, but I find it really adds so much flavor since it’s made with garlic, herbs, and spices.
Cook the bacon, then add the meat and onion. Once everything is browned, simply transfer to the bowl of your slow cooker.
If you have a newer slow cooker that has the ability to sear meats, that’s awesome. You should definitely use that function!
Once the protein has been added, add all the remaining ingredients, give the sauce a good stir, then cook low and slow all day long.
Nothing is better than the smells that will be coming from your kitchen, like nothing. That’s why this sauce is so perfect for Sunday. Simply throw it together in the morning and go off and enjoy your Sunday. Then come home to a house that smells like your Italian grandma was there cooking all day.
It’s the best most warming welcome home.
Before serving…
Make those breadcrumbs and find yourself a really good loaf of bread too. Yes, you need both.
The breadcrumbs are made with sourdough, fresh oregano, and plenty of parmesan cheese. While these breadcrumbs may seem simple, they add texture to the pasta and a nice cheesy crunchy bite.
So. Very. Delicious.
And finally, the pasta. For whatever reason, I love a big rigatoni noodle for this sauce, but any pasta works. So use what you or your family love most. Spaghetti is a classic, but if you want to go the healthier route, zucchini noodles would also be great!
And that’s it – you’re ready to serve. Just be sure to top each plate with those breadcrumbs and chunks of rustic bread for mopping up all that sauce. Delicious.
Do you have to wait until Sunday to make this?
Of course not! You can make this tonight or any night of the week.
Here is my suggestion though. Make this for Sunday night dinner along with my favorite beer bread. This recipe feeds a lot, probably way more than you need, so chances are you’ll have leftovers. And those leftovers…they are amazing. Maybe even better than the “fresh” sauce because the longer this sits, the more time the flavors have to develop.
You can serve throughout the week with pasta or over mashed potatoes. Or, freeze the leftover sauce and enjoy it in a month or so. That way, when the holiday craze hits, you’ll have dinner ready at the drop of a hat. It’s always nice to have a cozy “Sunday” meal on hand during the busy holiday months!
Looking for other hearty Sunday recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Healthier 30 Minute Beer Braised Chicken
30 Minute Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs with Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes
Lastly, if you make this Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta
Servings: 10
Calories Per Serving: 524 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 medium yellow, onions chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 pound lean ground beef or chicken
- 3/4 pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 4 carrots, finely chopped
- 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cups dry red wine, such as Sangiovese
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups torn sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, beef, sausage, oregano, basil, and season with salt and pepper. Brown all over breaking up the meat as you go, about 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.2. Transfer the meat to the bowl of your slow cooker. Add the carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. 3. Remove the thyme. If the sauce is soupy, crank the heat up to high and cook, uncovered for 20-30 minutes. If the sauce needs additional liquid, add 1-2 cups water or beef broth.4. To make the breadcrumbs. Preheat oven to 425° F. On a baking sheet, toss the bread, with olive oil, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Bake 10 minutes, until toasted. Crumble the bread into fine crumbs using your fingers or pulse in a food processor. Toss with parmesan and red pepper flakes.5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain. Use the pasta water to thin the Bolognese sauce, if needed. 6. To serve, divide the pasta among bowls and ladle the bolognese over top. Serve topped with breadcrumbs, parmesan, and fresh herbs. Enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, beef, sausage, oregano, basil, and season with salt and pepper. Brown all over, about 10-15 minutes. If using a smaller instant pot, it's easiest to brown the meat in 2 batches or on the stove. Turn the Instant Pot off.2. To the instant pot, add the carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.3. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function. Set the Instant pot to sauté. Bring to a boil, boil 5-10 minutes or until the liquid reduces just slightly. Turn the instant pot off. Remove the thyme.4. Finish as directed about through step 4.
Stove-top
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, beef, sausage, oregano, basil, and season with salt and pepper. Brown all over, breaking up the meat as you go, about 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.2. Add the carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and thyme. Add 2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. If the sauce needs additional liquid, add water or beef broth to thin. 3. Remove the thyme. If the sauce is soupy, cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes over medium heat.4. Finish as directed about through step 4.
This post was originally published on October 12, 2020
Made this tonight! OH MY GOD! So good!
Thank you so much Ashley!! xTieghan
Wow! We had this tonight and it was an absolute hit. Used the stovetop directions and had to leave it uncovered for 30 mins after simmering for 3 hours. Was the best bolognese we have ever had. Thanks Tieghan ?
Wow that is so amazing! Thank you so much Chantel! xTieghan
I made this for dinner last night, and everyone loved it! It was so flavorful and delicious! Will make again! In fact my husband asked if this recipe could be made every week!
Wow yes!! I am so happy this recipe turned out so well for you, Mary! xTieghan
I just made this tonight and it turned out PERFECT! I used a dutch oven on the stove top and 1 lb ground beef and 1/2 pond of spicy Italian sausage! After making this recipe, I texted my mom and told her we will be having this on Christmas Eve! Thank you!!
Amazing! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Allison! xTieghan
this was delish! The whole family devoured it. A perfect cozy movie-night-in dinner! I tried to take a photo and it didn’t nearly look as delicious as yours! thank you!
Thank you so much Christie! xTieghan
This was disasterous only because you should de-glaze the instapot after you’re done browning the meat. My instapot is top of the line and kept saying BURN each time I tried to do the 20 min pressure cook. Scraped off everything on the bottom 2x and would not stop saying burn. It was already 5pm and I had no other options left but to quit since I didn’t have time to stove top or slow cook it.
Hi Nikki! I am so so sorry about that! Please let me know if I can help. Otherwise, I hope you love some other recipes of mine! xTieghan
Making this right now – and omg – the sauce is to the brim of the slow cooker… had me nervous for a second! Haha!
😀
But really, it’s a perfect recipe while half watching football and has the house smelling delicious! I can’t wait for this evening.
I’m new to your blog and I made your butternut squash/pomegranate/kale salad last night from 2019 and holy moly – soooo great. I’m a new fan and telling everyone I possibly can about your amazing recipes!
Thank you!!!
Thank you so much Sarah! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
We made this yesterday, and it was perfect for our first snow here in Alaska. Smelling it cooking all day was a nice bonus (one reason I love using a crock pot versus an instapot — ya can’t beat the anticipation of smelling something yummy cooking all day). It made a TON of sauce, so I’ll be freezing it in batches for when we need comfort food and I don’t have time to cook.
I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Victoria! Thank you!! xTieghan
This turned out great. I halved the recipe and used the slow cooker function (4 hrs) on my instant pot. I did take the lid off after the 4hrs, and sautéed on low for maybe 15-20 mins, to let it thicken up while I made the pasta and grated parm.
I suffer from CSA and farmer’s market binges, so always have extra veggies/fruit/mushrooms I’m trying to use up. To this recipe I hid a small amount of leftover roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, and a small amount of roasted delicata, all diced up. Yummers!
I am really glad this turned out so well for you, May! Thank you!! xTieghan
This look delicious! How spicy is this dish with the spicy Italian sausage? I want to make it for my kids who don’t do well with a lot of spice, but love flavor. Will it be more mild because it will be mixed with beef? Thank you!
Hey Serena,
I would recommend just using mild Italian sausage and omitting the red pepper flakes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!
Tieghan!
Forever the temptress!
Have been doing well for three weeks on my COVID quarantine diet until I saw these lusciously photographed rigatoni noodles. I resisted getting out my slow cooker for three days. But then I succumbed and made your Sunday pasta on Friday!
Perfectly photographed. And perfectly paired with an Umbria Sangiovese!
Gerry Smith
Amazing! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Gerry! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
This recipe was delicious! I followed the instapot instructions but found I had to sauté a bit longer at the end (closer to 30-45 mins) to reduce the sauce to my desired thickness.
I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I followed pressure cooker instructions. The carrots and celery were still crunchy after 20 mins and natural release for 20 mins. Going to try another pressure cycle at 20 mins and see if that helps.
Hi Ivy! Please let me know if there is anything I can help with!! xTieghan
OMG THIS LOOK DELISH MY FAVORITE DISH IS PASTA AND I WANNA MAKE THIS BUT DO YOU THINK IT WILL WORK WITH FRESH TOMATOES PLEASE ?
Hey Hyba,
I would highly recommend using jarred tomato sauce for this recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Love this recipe. Flavors, texture and range of spicy perfect and love that you can use chicken or turkey Italian sausage. One question that consumed the conversation at the dinner table. Why didn’t the sauce stick to the pasta like your pictures. Sauce slides off the noodles. My family analyzed this to no end. Your professional opinion would appreciated
Thanks
Missy
Hey Missy,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! Did you rinse your noodles? That usually prevents any type of sauce from sticking to the noodles. Let me know if this helps! xTieghan