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This Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta is the perfect family friendly meal. Slow cooked Italian style Bolognese sauce with a mix of beef, veggies, sweet tomatoes, herbs, and vodka. Serve this sauce over your favorite cut of pasta and top with a generous amount of parmesan cheese for a dinner that everyone will love. This is a great pasta to serve any night of the week, or for your next holiday dinner party. Tip…a side of crusty bread is always a good idea!
This time next week we will all be gearing up to sit down to a turkey filled Thanksgiving dinner. Can you guys believe we’re just one week away? I’m in shock as to how fast time is flying, but trying to enjoy as much of it as I can! Over the next few days our family will slowly be shuffling their way into town. I’m so excited to have all of my brothers back in Colorado for Thanksgiving.
Seeing as though my family is huge, it can be hard to get us all under one roof at the same time. But I’m feeling thankful that holidays have always been a priority for us and we will all be together. Also thankful that my younger brother, Red showed up a few days ahead of everyone else. He’s on the go non-stop, chasing the snow, and always having fun, so it’s nice to have him home.
Plus, Red was the sole inspiration for this vodka Bolognese, so you can all thank him for this DELICIOUS recipe.
For the last year or so, every time I’ve seen Red he’s requested Bolognese. It’s his favorite.
Red is constantly traveling, making his way all over the states, across Europe, and even into Asia. Somehow, he’s still not the most adventurous eater (though he’s getting so much better). Whenever he travels he says he just eats Bolognese because it’s always good. It’s hard to argue that one…
I mean, slow cooked red sauce? Pasta? Cheese?
Yeah, it’s a combo that really never gets old.
What’s funny though? I don’t have a traditional Bolognese sauce on HBH. SO, when I heard he was flying into Colorado this week, I quickly switched up my plans and decided to make him Bolognese. I did not regret this choice. This recipe is so good, it’s easy, and it’s one that everyone should have in their back pocket.
Like a lot of Italian based sauces, this one starts out with the basic, onion, carrot, celery combo. I also added shallots for a bit more flavor…and because I’m honestly just obsessed with them.
Cook up the veggies in a skillet, add the meat, and brown it all over. This is essential. You want to get a caramelization on the meat before adding it to the slow cooker. Don’t skip this step.
Here are my two secrets to making a good Bolognese sauce…one that’s better than any other on the internet:
One, I like to use a mix of ground beef and spicy Italian sausage. The sausage adds a deep layer of flavor. It really makes the sauce so delicious and gives it just a touch of heat. You can certainly use ground beef in place of the sausage, but I do recommend giving the sausage a try.
Two, vodka. Yes, VODKA. Now I want to start by staying that if you do not drink, I totally understand. In this case, just swap the vodka for chicken broth, beef broth, or even just water. That will be totally fine and your sauce will still be great.
BUT, if you do drink or use alcohol for cooking, you must add vodka to your sauce. It’s a game changer. The vodka adds a sharp bite that helps to balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes. When used in small amounts, the vodka will boost and intensify aroma of the sauce. The key is slow simmering the sauce, which will release its flavors and cooks out the alcohol. So yes, this is safe to serve to kids!
You see why this Bolognese is better than any other.
And the best part? You can make the sauce in the morning and slow cook it all day long. Perfect for busy days and easy holiday entertaining.
I will for sure be remaking this next week when all of our family is here for Thanksgiving. In addition to my immediate family, we’ll also be hosting my aunt, uncle, their 3 kids, my grandpa and his girlfriend…and of course anyone else who happens to show up. There are always last-minute add ons to Gerard holiday dinners.
This pasta will be the perfect dinner to serve on a Wednesday night.
If you make this vodka bolognese 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 also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 1218 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3/4 pound ground spicy Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 can (28 ounce) chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup vodka
- 1 parmesan rind, plus grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- 1 pound long or short cut pasta
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, shallot, carrots, and celery, and season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes or until the onion is fragrant and beginning to caramelize. Add the beef and sausage, 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 tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaves, thyme, milk, vodka, and parmesan rind. 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 parmesan rind. If the sauce is soupy, crank the heat up to high and cook, uncovered for 20-30 minutes. 4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain. 5. 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. Add the cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy!
Stove Top Directions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, shallot, carrots, and celery, and season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes or until the onion is fragrant and beginning to caramelize. Add the beef and sausage, brown all over, breaking up the meat as you go, about 10 minutes. 2. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaves, thyme, milk, vodka, and parmesan rind. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.3. Remove the parmesan rind. If the sauce is soupy, cook, uncovered for 20-30 minutes over medium heat.4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain. 5. 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. Add the cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy!
I made this for a large family birthday. I was able to do all the prep while my baby was napping (huge win)! It went over so well. Absolutely delicious!! Will be making it again for sure.
That is so perfect! I am so glad you loved this recipe, Jillian! Thank you!
Delicious! Great flavor. Made with spaghetti squash and saving the rest for lasagna.
Thank you so much Evelyn! I am so glad you loved this pasta!
I hate to ask but, would red wine (Cabernet) work instead of vodka? I’m trying to use some leftover wine so it doesn’t go to waste ??♀️
HI!! Red win will be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan
MADE THIS LAST NIGHT. IT WAS A CROWD FAVORITE. I FOLLOWED THE STOVE TOP RECIPE AND IT WAS DELICIOUS! WILL DEFINITELY BE MAKING IT AGAIN!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you so much Karen!
can I use something else if I’m unable to find parm rind? thanks!
Hey Lauren! You can just omit the parmesan rind. Not a huge deal. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
This looks fantastic! How much oil do you use to sauté the veggies? Since the meat and sausage will produce fat, would it work to cook the meat first and transfer it to the slow cooker so you could sauté the veggies in the fat rendered from the meat? Can’t wait to try this!
Hey Laurie! I use 2 tablespoons olive oil. Please let me know if you have other questions. I really hope you love this recipe! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
A comforting bowl of pasta is just what I need! This looks perfect! 🙂
Thank you!
I had recently tried a bolognese that I was “meh” about but I knew I could trust you!! This was so good! For two of us we made enough to have for three nights of dinner which is perfect for when you’re busy!
I am so glad you loved this one Jennifer! Thank you!
I´m usually more the type “quiet and appreciative reader”, but after trying several of your recipes, I just have to leave a comment! They all turned out extremely tasty, and without being even the slightest bit fussy or complicated in preparation, so I´m actually looking forward to cooking! So I just wanted to say: Thank you so much for all the inspiration, yummy meals, the impressed face of my boyfriend when he tries the food, and making me a better and happier cook!
I am so glad you loved this Claudia! And I am so glad all of the recipes you have tried have been easy going for you. Thank you so much!
Making this right now! The house smells like heaven. Thank you!
Thank you Katie!
Perfect Saturday night supper with my hubby!!! This is a keeper!!!
Thank you so much Wendy!
Perfect Saturday night dinner with my hubby! Served it over chick pea pasta and it was hearty and delicious! Super easy and I had most of the ingredients! Even the vodka! Go figure!!
YUM! I am so glad you loved this recipe and it was so perfect for your Saturday night, Wendy!
I made this tonight and it was incredible!! Thank you so much for the recipe! Forgot to take a picture!!
I am so glad you loved this Shannon! Thank you!
Hey Tieghan,
I haven’t commented in a while but loved your photos of this dish and thought I’d check in! How are you? How have you been? I hope you’re doing well and enjoying the snow! My mom said something about possibly visiting CO this year or early next year, with the family and I thought of you. I hope the new studio is all ready and you’re getting excited for the holidays. Also, I’m looking forward to hearing how your thanksgiving goes. ☺️
Hi Kristin! I am doing really well, just super busy like always! How are you? Also, you’re visiting Colorado?! That is so exciting. Its such a beautiful state! I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving!
Hi! How can I make this in the instant pot?
Thanks!!