Crock Pot Beer Bolognese

Transform your weeknight dinners into an unforgettable culinary experience with this Crock Pot Beer Bolognese. This rich and hearty slow-cooked sauce combines tender beef and pork with the deep, malty flavors of brown ale or lager, creating a unique twist on the classic Italian favorite. Sautéed veggies, crushed tomatoes, and aromatic herbs simmer together for hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. A splash of whole milk stirred in near the end adds a luxurious creaminess, while optional garnishes like freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley elevate each serving. Perfect over pasta, polenta, or zucchini noodles, this crowd-pleasing recipe is effortless to prepare and ideal for cozy family meals or entertaining guests. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this slow cooker bolognese recipe is the ultimate comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrot, finely chopped
• 2 medium celery stalks, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 12 ounces beer (brown ale or lager preferred)
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 0 grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• 0 fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and ground pork. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Transfer the cooked meat and vegetable mixture to a large Crock Pot.

Step 5

Pour the beer into the Crock Pot, scraping up any brown bits from the skillet if needed, to deglaze.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth to the Crock Pot. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Season with bay leaf, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 8

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.

Step 9

One hour before serving, stir in the whole milk to enrich the sauce.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with salt and pepper.

Step 11

Serve the Bolognese over your favorite pasta, polenta, or even zucchini noodles. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2880.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3213.1

Total Fat 211.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 75.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 748.0mg	0%
Sodium 4233.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 96.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.2g	0%
Total Sugars 46.4g
Protein 217.6g	0%

Vitamin D 53.7IU	0%
Calcium 824.3mg	0%
Iron 25.9mg	0%
Potassium 4865.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.2%

Protein: 27.5%

Carbs: 12.2%