Description
Grandma’s Secret Sauce is a hearty and flavorful Bolognese sauce that simmers to perfection in a slow cooker, making it an ideal dish for busy days when you want a comforting meal ready by dinner time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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 the Sauce:
For Serving:
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent. Once the onions are soft, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Make sure to crumble the beef into small pieces for a fine texture.
- Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the slow cooker. Ensure all the juices and bits from the skillet are included for flavor.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This slow cooking process helps meld the flavors together.
- About 20 minutes before serving, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Cook until al dente for the perfect texture.
- Discard the bay leaf from the sauce. It has imparted its flavor; now it’s time to remove it before serving.
- Serve the Bolognese sauce over the cooked spaghetti and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The cheesy finish adds a delightful richness to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Bolognese Sauce, Slow Cooker Recipe, Pasta Dinner, Comfort Food
