Your slow cooker Bolognese recipes

[FlyingUnicorn1]

Please can someone give me a recipe that I can do in the slow cooker but does not involve adding red wine. To serve 4?

[Chocolateheaven123]

I'm actually attempting my first slow cooker Bolognese today! I've just thrown in normal ingredients...

Approx 300g of mince (portioned up a huge pack from the butcher's so not entirely sure how much is in there)
Clove of garlic, crushed
Chopped onion
Chopped carrots,2
2 sticks of chopped celery
Tin of tomatoes
Good squirt of tomato puree
Stock cube (just mixed it in a mug so not sure of measurements)
Lots of dried herbs and bay leaves

Smells divine! I never measure anything, just throw everything in so apologies for not giving exact quantities .

Shall report back later with the Verdict!

[FlyingUnicorn1]

@Chocolateheaven123 thanks! How did it go?

I already did my shop. I bought 2 peppers instead of celery as I don't like celery. Do you think that will be okay?

I've got 500g of mince
3 carrots
Onion
Garlic
Tomato purée
Red wine vinegar
Tinned chopped tomatoes
Peppers

Do you think I should add a stock cube in that?

[Furrycushion]

Yes to a stock cube. No to red wine vinegar, tinned tomatoes are avdic to start with. I just make my bolognaise on the cooker & then out it in the slow cooker to cook for a few hours. I can't bear it if I don't cook it first, it goes all gritty. My recipe:
Carrots, onions, celery, garlic blitzed in the food processor
Chopped streaky bacon
Tinned tomatoes
Tomato puree
Stock cube
Worcestershire sauce
Sugar (just a little)

[Furrycushion]

Tinned tomatoes are acidic that should say

[Furrycushion]

Oh and mince! I use a mixture of beef & pork mince quite often.

[FlyingUnicorn1]

@Furrycushion thank you!

Stupid question but with the stock cube do I just crumble up the stock cube or make up some stock with it first?

I will cook it up on the hob first

[Furrycushion]

If it looks dry yes, otherwise I just sling it in. I often have to boil off liquid when it's done in the slow cooker anyway as it doesn't boil off because of the long slow cooking.

[Chocolateheaven123]

Flying, it turned out wonderful. Definitely one of the best ones I've made!! Had meant to say I browned off the mince and onions first. Tinned tomatoes are fine if cooked low and slow for hours. If not, add a pinch of sugar.

I measure out stock if doing it on the hob as it reduces down but only had a little liquid with the slow cooker. I don't add bacon, just because I have a toddler so worry about the salt content.

Next time I make it though, I'm going to do it a day ahead. Apparently Bolognese is one of those meals that tastes better the next day as it all marries together. Three empty plates last night though

Good luck bwith yours!

[Oatomatom]

I put all the chopped veg in the slow cooker (onion, celery, garlic, carrots) then fry the mince very hot and fast to brown it (stops it going chewy) in a separate pan. Then add all the rest to the slow cooker as well - tins of chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, beef stock cube / Marmite, salt, pepper, mixed herbs. I often bulk it out with red lentils, too. My lentil hating DH doesn’t seem to notice.