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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. 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 Sunday Sauce. 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 meat 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.
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.
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 looks delicious. I can’t wait to make it.
My husband and I cannot have red wine. What would you recommend I use instead.
Hey Jane,
I would use beef broth in place of the wine. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This looks delicious!! If I were to increase the recipe by 1.5x, will a 9×13 dish be large enough? Thanks so much!!
Hey Wendy,
So sorry I do not think that will be large enough. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Delicious!! I made this on a “stay at home Saturday” and it was delicious. Watched some football and cooked the meal. I added in a bit of my own spices, using red pepper flakes in the sauce and it was delicious! I will definitely recommend this recipe and I will make it again!
Love that!! Thank you so much Emma! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Could you use Italian pork sausage rather than chicken?
Hey Katie,
Yes that would be great! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this dish 2 nights ago….My family loved it! Had plenty of leftovers for another meal last night and then some for the freezer. Delish!! I used ground venison and pork sausage. Yum!! Even made the breadcrumbs with some old bagels and regular bread (no sourdough on hand) and my boys gobbled it all up. The breadcrumbs were a new addition for us and it really brought something to the dish. This will definitely be made again!!
I am so happy this recipe turned out so well for you, Penelope! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Amazing flavor. So rich and delicious!
Thank you so much Dominique! xTieghan
Hi!
Any substitute for the wine?
Hey Dee,
You can use beef broth in place of the wine. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Ok- this is one to save! Love how I was able to slightly modify it for my family’s taste. I’m totally not Italian… never had a Sunday sauce or gravy. However. I married an Italian so knew I had to have a recipe to impress! I did everything almost exactly to what the recipe called for except skipped the carrots and celery, one can of crushed tomatoes and one of tomato puree, and did ground beef and ground chicken. Let it go for about 3 hours on the stove top and definitely do the bread crumbs!! They were more like croutons for me but so.so.good. As mentioned this makes a lot so I froze a bunch. Love it love it and so did my hubby and 3 year old daughter. Thx for the fab recipe!
Omg another one, scored high in my house
Wow yes! I am really happy you all enjoyed this one, Kathy! xTieghan
I have been trialed 3-4 different bolognese recipes over 3 years now, and this one takes the cake! I did not do the bread crumbs (which now I’m sure would have made it 10 stars), but it was delicious! I doubled the batch and can’t wait to make lasagna with this. Worth it on every level!
Wow that is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, April!! xTieghan
Made this today was delicious. Thank you.
The spicy chicken sausage gives a real kick to your butt!
Great Election Day food to enjoy.
Colleen 11/3/2020
Thank you so much Colleen! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Currently simmering in the slow cooker now and it smells so good! … I do see it makes a lot! How long would you say this is good for in the fridge for leftovers?
Hey Meghan,
I would say 3-4 days or you can freeze the sauce. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This came out great! And even better the next day. I used my slow cooker and cooked on low for 6 hours, would do a bit long next time but ran out of time. In response to other reviews, I personally thought it was the perfect amount of wine, it definitely added a layer of flavor without being wine-forward. I didn’t need to add any more liquid, cooked it on high uncovered for half hour at the end like the recipe recommended to thicken up. Loved it!
Thank you so much Chelsea! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Do you need water for the slow cooker version? Please respond if possible! Would love to make this today – looks delicious!
Hey Kim,
Nope, no water needed. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Not sure if I didn’t use enough tomato paste, or omitted the bacon, or if it’s because I used turkey vs beef, but mine came out pretty light in color and really soupy. The flavor is delicious… I am going to try cooking the liquid off, but curious if the use of turkey and not using bacon would cause it to lack in color. Thanks in advance!
Hey Brooklyn,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, these adjustments could have made the difference, did you adjust any of the sauce? I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan