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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.
Always been slightly intimidated by the long process of making bolognese sauce. This recipe was the simplicity I craved. Substituted meatloaf mix for pure ground beef. Will become part of my comfort food repertoire. Thank you.
Hey Mark,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was a hit!☀️
What would make the sauce bitter? I cooked it in the slow cooker? My guess is maybe the acid from the tomatoes. Trying to fix
Hi Lisa,
Hmmm, that’s weird! Was there anything you may have adjusted? I can’t imagine the tomatoes would make this bitter. Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Would I be able to double this recipe and still use a crockpot? Looking for a recipe to make for 15 people. Thank you!!
Hey Laura,
As long as your pot is large enough then yes!! Please let me know if you give it a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This is delicious and will definitely make again and again. Question though: what can I do with the leftover breadcrumbs? I have alot!
Hey Judy,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that the recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. You could use them on another pasta or toss them in a salad! Have the best week:)) xT
Could you please verify 2 Tablespoons for each of the dried spices (oregano and basil) is correct amount. Just wanted to be sure it wasn’t meant to be 2 teaspoons. Thank you.
Hi Joanne,
Yes, 2 tablespoons for each is correct. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Just had this for dinner. Delicious! I used mild Italian pork sausage instead of spicy chicken sausage and added some red pepper flakes. So good and lots of leftovers.
Thanks for sharing your amazing recipes, Tieghan. And good look to Red when he competes next week!
Hey Kim,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
Could you verify the number of cups of carrots and celery? Carrots come in all shapes and sizes so unsure the correct amount 🙂
Hi Brenna,
About 2 cups of each:)
Have made this delicious meal innumerable times and it’s the one my husband gets excited about when he sees on the stove. Thank you T for your incredible recipes! I have given your cook books away after guests raved about what a great meal they had. I’m always a bit surprised I can create such fabulous dishes, you make it so fun and easy!! Happy Christmas 🎄
Hey Colleen,
Happy Friday! ☃️ So glad to hear that this recipe is always enjoyed, I appreciate you making it so often! xT
I made this on the stove and it was incredible. I substituted beef broth instead of the wine. Simmered with the lid off at the end and it was perfect. I have really been enjoying your recipes. Thank you!
Hi Candace,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it. Have the best week:) xT
This recipe turned out really well, the sauce was very flavorful and it made plenty of leftovers. Would definitely make this again. Thank you for another great recipe!!
*note: I didn’t have bacon, so I left it out and the sauce was still delicious without it.
Hey Gabby,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear it was enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your comment! xTieghan
I made this on the stove top a few weeks ago. I didn’t use Chicken sausage as not available in Ireland so substituted with extra beef instead . It’s definitely the best Bolognese recipe that I have ever used . Much nicer than the one with Vodka . Everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sue,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
Eating this as I type! It is absolutely delicious! I used regular hot sausage instead of chicken sausage and it was perfect! It will be a “go to” sauce from now on!
Hi Mary,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
If I cut the recipe in half, only making it for two. Would the cook time using the Dutch oven change?
Hi Abbey,
I would keep the cooking time the same for best flavor. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
How does this Bolognese compare with your other recipe that includes pesto? Thank you!
Hi An,
This one has some different meats and flavors, they are similar:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Is it important to slow cook this? Would speeding up the cooking process on the stovetop negatively impact the result?
Hi Mikaela,
Slow cooker or stove top are both great which is why I included the instructions for both:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Can you leave the bacon out? I have some who prefer not to eat pork, but I don’t want to sacrifice flavor! Love all of your recipes
Hi Morgan,
Yes, you can skip the bacon, you could also do turkey bacon. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Not my first HBH recipe but my first review. This was AMAZING! Made it in the slow cooker which made for an easy dinner! Definitely adding this in our dinner rotation
Hey Jamie,
Wonderful! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! Have the best week:) xTieghan