Lazy Sunday Slow Cooker Bolognese Pasta Bake

Recipe Introduction: Lazy Sunday Slow Cooker Bolognese Pasta Bake

Quick Hook

Fancy a taste of Italy without slaving away in the kitchen? This slow cooker pasta bake is where it's at.

It's a hug in a bowl, perfect for a lazy Sunday pasta recipe , packed with rich, comforting flavors.

Brief Overview

Originating from the classic Italian ragu, this dish is a simplified version for modern life. It's dead easy, needing only 20 minutes of prep, then letting the slow cooker work its magic for 6- 8 hours .

This slow cooker family meals pasta yields enough to feed 6-8 hungry souls.

Main Benefits

Besides being unbelievably delicious, this recipe is relatively healthy. Bolognese are usually high in fat and it would be a disaster to use low quality ingredients and the wrong preparation method, because it would lack of the nutrient benefits for the whole family.

Serve this comfort food pasta slow cooker when you are in need of some easy crockpot dinners. Honestly, what makes this Italian style slow cooker pasta so special is the sheer ease and flavour payoff.

Lazy Sunday Slow Cooker Bolognese Pasta Bake Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:360 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
• 1 pound ground beef (450g) (80/20 blend)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup) (150g)
• 2 carrots, finely diced (about 1 cup) (100g)
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced (about 1 cup) (100g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons) (6g)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (794g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce (425g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (425g)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (2g)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil (2g)
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme (1g)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (0.5g) (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper (3g)
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (120ml) (such as Chianti or Merlot) (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste (30ml)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15ml)
• 1 cup beef broth (240ml)
• 1 pound dried pasta (450g) (penne, rigatoni, or similar shape)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (200g)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g), plus more for garnish
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
• Transfer the browned beef and vegetables to the slow cooker. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, pepper, red wine (if using), tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in beef broth.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded.
• About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
• Stir the cooked pasta into the Bolognese sauce in the slow cooker.
• Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the pasta.
• Cover and cook on high for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves (if using) and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:20-25g

Fiber:4-6g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

The Magic of Slow Cooking

Ever wonder how to get that deep, rich flavour in your bolognese without standing over the hob all day? The slow cooker is your secret weapon.

I remember the first time I tried a slow cooker Bolognese , I was blown away by how the flavours just melded together.

It's like a culinary cuddle! And the best part? Minimal effort required.

What You'll Need

Right, let's get down to brass tacks. To create this masterpiece, you'll need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend works a treat)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, if you fancy a bit of a kick)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (such as Chianti or Merlot, optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 pound dried pasta (penne or rigatoni are great)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Let's Get Cooking!

Now that you know what to grab from the shops, let's dive into the exciting world of slow cooker pasta recipes easy .

Ingredients & Equipment for a Lazy Sunday Pasta Recipe

Right then, let's talk ingredients. This slow cooker pasta dish, which honestly is perfect for a lazy Sunday pasta recipe , is all about simple, quality components.

No need to be a Michelin star chef, yeah?

Main Ingredients

• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . A good glug will do. Quality extra virgin olive oil adds flavour.
• Ground Beef: 1 pound (450g) . Aim for 80/20 blend for a richer sauce.
• Yellow Onion: 1 medium (1 cup/150g) , diced.
• Carrots: 2 medium (1 cup/100g) , diced.
• Celery: 2 stalks (1 cup/100g) , diced.
• Garlic: 2 cloves (2 teaspoons/6g) , minced.
• Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce) can (794g) .
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) .
• Diced Tomatoes: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) , undrained.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon (2g) .
• Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon (2g) .
• Dried Thyme: ½ teaspoon (1g) .
• Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) (optional). Just a pinch for a bit of a kick, you know?
• Salt: 1 teaspoon (6g) .
• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon (3g) .
• Dry Red Wine: ½ cup (120ml) (optional). A cheap bottle will do!
• Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .
• Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . A dash of umami magic!
• Beef Broth: 1 cup (240ml) .
• Dried Pasta (penne/rigatoni): 1 pound (450g) .
• Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups (200g) , shredded.
• Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (50g) , grated.

Seasoning Notes

This Italian style slow cooker pasta relies on a few key herbs. Oregano, basil, and thyme are your base. Red pepper flakes add a touch of warmth for your comfort food pasta slow cooker .

Worcestershire sauce adds depth and a savory note. If you don't have red wine, a splash of balsamic vinegar works in a pinch.

I love how the aroma fills the kitchen.

Equipment Needed

You really don't need much for this slow cooker family meals pasta .

• Slow Cooker: 6-quart or larger . Obviously!
• Large Skillet. For browning the beef.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons. Essential!
• Cutting Board.
• Chef's Knife.

Honestly, that's it! A large pot will work instead of a skillet if you are using an easy crockpot dinners , so dig in and enjoy the process.

Lazy Sunday Slow Cooker Bolognese Pasta Bake – The Ultimate Comfort Food

Okay, let's be real. Who doesn't love a good pasta bake? And when it's made in the slow cooker ? Oh my gosh, game changer! This Italian style slow cooker pasta recipe is about to become your new best mate, especially for those lazy Sunday dinners.

We're talking proper comfort food pasta slow cooker right here.

Prep Like a Pro: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Before we dive in, a bit of mise en place is crucial. Finely chop 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 cup), 2 carrots (about 1 cup), and 2 celery stalks (about 1 cup).

Mince 2 cloves garlic , too. This is our aromatic flavour bomb! It will help you make delicious Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta later!.

Honestly, having everything prepped saves so much time.

Step-by-Step to Slow Cooker Pasta Perfection

Follow these steps and prepare some of your favorite Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipes :

1. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Crumble and brown 1 pound of ground beef until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
2. Sauté the Veggies: Add your prepped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, around 5 minutes . Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute .
3. Combine in the Slow Cooker : Transfer the beef and veggie mixture to your 6-quart slow cooker . Add 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes , 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce , 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes , 1 teaspoon dried oregano , 1 teaspoon dried basil , ½ teaspoon dried thyme , ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if you're feeling spicy!), 1 teaspoon salt , ½ teaspoon black pepper , ½ cup dry red wine , 2 tablespoons tomato paste , 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce , and 1 cup beef broth .
4. Slow Cook It!: Cover and cook on low for 6- 8 hours , or on high for 3- 4 hours . The longer it cooks, the richer the flavour!
5. Cook the Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, cook 1 pound of dried pasta (penne or rigatoni works great!) according to package directions until al dente .
6. Combine and Cheese It Up!: Stir the cooked pasta into the Bolognese sauce in the slow cooker. Top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan . It helps make it one of the Easy Crockpot Dinners
7. Melt the Cheese: Cover and cook on high for another 10- 15 minutes , or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips for a Next-Level Pasta Bake

A good trick with Slow cooker pasta recipes easy is to always cook pasta al dente . Honestly, nobody likes mushy pasta, right? This will stop the pasta from getting mushy.

Also, don't be afraid to adjust the seasoning. Taste the sauce before adding the pasta and tweak it to your liking.

You can also get super comfy and transform it in Slow cooker family meals pasta .

Recipe Notes: Making This Slow Cooker Pasta Your Own

Right, so you’re ready to give this Lazy Sunday Slow Cooker Bolognese a go? Ace! Before you do, let’s chat about a few things.

Honestly, this recipe is pretty forgiving. But these notes will help you nail it. These notes work if you go with the comfort food pasta slow cooker style, or maybe a bit fancier and Italian style slow cooker pasta !

Serving Suggestions: Get Your Plating On!

Okay, first things first: presentation! This slow cooker pasta bake looks amazing in individual bowls. Think rustic vibes. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a few fresh basil leaves? Bang on! I personally think a side of garlic bread is a must.

You know, for soaking up all that gorgeous sauce. And a simple green salad? It cuts through the richness nicely.

Why not grab some Chianti to wash it all down? It will definitely complement the slow cooker Bolognese flavour!

Storage Tips: Keeping the Pasta Love Alive

Leftovers? Oh my gosh, if only I had leftovers more often. Refrigerate any extra slow cooker pasta in an airtight container.

It'll last for about 3-4 days, tops. For freezing, portion it out into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.

Reheating is easy: microwave, oven, or even back in the slow cooker. Job done.

Variations: Time To Personalise Your Pasta!

Fancy a change? I’ve got you covered.

• Veggie Delight: Swap out the beef for lentils or that meat substitute stuff. Still delicious, I promise. This works especially well if you're after easy crockpot dinners .
• Spice It Up: Feeling brave? Add more red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne, for a bit of a kick. You’ll have a Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta , almost without knowing!.

These little swaps make this slow cooker pasta recipes easy to keep interesting.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Okay, the boring bit. Each serving of this slow cooker family meals pasta is about 450-550 calories. You get around 30-35g of protein and 20-25g of fat.

There are also roughly 40-50g of carbs. Remember, this is just an estimate. It all depends on what you chuck in there! Just a helpful number so you can plan this Lazy Sunday pasta recipe !

So, there you have it. A few tips to make this Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipes (or Bolognese!) even better. Now go on, get cooking! And don't be afraid to experiment.

You might just create your own masterpiece!.