Batch cook a delicious and healthy spaghetti bolognese in your slow cooker. Freeze the leftovers for easy midweek dinners when you’re more pushed for time
Prep:15 mins
Serves 12
4 tbsp olive oil6 smoked bacon rashers, chopped1½kg lean minced beef (or use half beef, half pork mince)4 onions, finely chopped3 carrots, finely chopped4 celery sticks, finely chopped8 garlic cloves, crushed500g mushrooms, sliced4 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes6 tbsp tomato purée2 tbsp dried mixed herbs2 bay leaveslarge glass red wine (optional)4 tbsp red wine vinegar1 tbsp sugarcooked spaghetti, to serveparmesan, to serve
STEP 1Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the bacon and mince in batches until browned. Add to the slow cooker.STEP 2Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs, wine (if using), vinegar, sugar and seasoning to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours, then uncover, turn to High and cook for another hour until thick and saucy.STEP 3Serve with cooked spaghetti and grated or shaved parmesan. To cook this entire recipe on the hob, check out our big-batch bolognese recipe.
