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Slow Cooker Bolognese

Recipe by Nicki Georgiou on InstagramAdded 30 October 2026.

15 minutes to prep, 6 hours to cook. A hearty slow‑cooker Bolognese packed with beef, tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables. The sauce simmers all day, creating deep, savory flavors that cling to al dente spaghetti, making for a comforting dinner with minimal effort.

See all 3 versions of bolognese, compared

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Slow Cooker Bolognese by Nicki Georgiou, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, stir well, and cook for 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

  2. Remove the bay leaves, then optionally stir in Worcestershire sauce and fresh herbs.

  3. Serve with spaghetti and enjoy.

  4. For pasta coated in the sauce, boil the spaghetti for 2 to 3 minutes less than the package instructions, drain keeping a little pasta water, then stir the spaghetti into the bolognese with a splash of that water and let it finish softening in the sauce.

Tips while you cook

Stir before cooking
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in the slow cooker before starting the cook cycle.
Remove bay leaves
Take out the bay leaves after cooking and before serving.
Finish pasta in sauce
Boil spaghetti 2–3 minutes less than package directions, then stir into the sauce with a splash of pasta water to finish softening.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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The recipe comes from Nicki Georgiou’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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Bolognese, 3 ways

Three creators posted their own. Every one is built on beef, garlic cloves, tomatoes, onion and carrot.

  1. Finn Tonry40 min16 ingr.Only this one uses olive oil, anchovy fillets and capers
  2. Notorious Foodie30 min9 ingr.Only this one uses celery, anchovy and worcestershire sauce
  3. Nicki Georgiou6 hr 15 min15 ingr.Only this one uses balsamic, beef stock cubes and oregano
Compare all 3 side by side

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