Bolognese is an easy-to-make & versatile meat-based sauce. Cook this low-carb, paleo & whole30 sauce in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Updated 2020
What Is Bolognese
Bolognese is a meat-based sauce that originated in Bologna, Italy. From what I’ve been able to gather, ‘authentic’ bolognese is debatable. The most common used ingredients in bolognese include ground meat, pork, cream/milk, onions, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. Outside of that, there are lots of variations when it comes to making bolognese. I have seen some bolognese recipes made with pancetta, some with veal, some with whole milk, some with wine, some with lots of tomatoes, and some with barely any at all. My slow cooker or pressure cooker version that you see here has been made with the intention of being compliant for whole30, paleo, low-carb, and keto diets.
What Type Of Meat To Use
As previously mentioned, bolognese is made with ground meat and pork. For my beef I used ground beef and for my pork, I used whole30-compliant bacon. If you use the slow cooker to make this bolognese, the bacon needs to be cooked before starting this recipe. If you’re using the pressure cooker, you can cook the bacon directly in the pot.
Adding Cream
The main update to this new version of my slow cooker/Instant Pot bolognese is the addition of coconut milk. My previous version used beef broth. Bolognese is supposed to be creamy so most times it has milk in it. In addition to milk not being low-carb, paleo, or whole30…I don’t use milk in my recipes. I found that full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream was the perfect replacement. Another option is heavy whipping cream however while it’s low-carb & keto, whipping cream is not paleo or whole30 compliant.
How To Serve Bolognese Sauce
How you serve this will depend on your dietary needs. In Italy, bolognese sauce is usually with wide tagliatelle pasta. When most Americans hear bolognese, they think spaghetti bolognese. While not authentic Italian, it’s wildly popular. A good low-carb, paleo, and whole30 substitute for spaghetti noodles are zoodles (zucchini noodles) or even spaghetti squash. As you can see here, I like to serve this over sauteed zoodles.
Other meat sauce or meatball recipes you might enjoy:
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Meat Sauce w/Zoodles (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash w/Meat Sauce (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Zoodles w/Meatballs (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Italian Meatball Dinner (Paleo, Whole30)
Store the leftover bolognese sauce in the frig for up to 3 days or the freezer for 4-6 months.
I use a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot to make this recipe.
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Bolognese (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 ounces bacon
- 28-ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup onion, diced finely
- 2 celery stalks, diced finely
- 2 carrots, peeled & diced finely
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Cook & crumble bacon.
- In a large skillet, add ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain grease. Add the ground beef to the slow cooker along with the bacon.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or low 6-8.
- Remove bay leaf & stir before serving.
Electric Pressure Cooker
- Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. When hot, bacon and cook a few minutes until browned. Add ground beef, carrots, celery, and onions. Cook 5-7 minutes until beef is browned and vegetables are soft. Crumble the ground meat as it cooks.
- Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain excess grease from the pressure cooker if needed.
- Add oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Stir to mix well.
- Pour crushed tomatoes on top. Top with bay leaf. Do not stir.
- Close lid and seal valve. Cook high pressure for 20 minutes. Natural release pressure for 5 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Remove bay leaf & stir in coconut milk.
Notes
The bolognese sauce will thicken as it cools.
Store the leftover bolognese sauce in the frig for up to 3 days or the freezer for 4-6 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 301
- Sugar: 6.1 g
- Sodium: 664.7 mg
- Fat: 15.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
- Fiber: 2.9 g
- Protein: 29.3 g
- Cholesterol: 77.1 mg
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20 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Whole30 Bolognese”
This was so good!
It was super easy to make and delicious! Loved it!
Didn’t have several of the ingredients but that didn’t stop me. I used ground beef and ground turkey and 3 tsp of Italian seasoning instead of oregano and basil. Made in the Instant Pot and added heavy cream after releasing pressure. Served hubs over spaghetti and mine over Miracle Noodles. This was so quick after a late day at work and was so good. Officially in the rotation!
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I heard about slow cooking recently. This looks so great!
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I have never tried this food but I might have to now! Recipe is so easy!
Wow! Another must try recipe! I am starting to love cooking so good thing I saw this post. Looking for some other recipe to try.
I’ve got two friends and they both make amazing bolognese but this looks really tasty as well, I might try it!
My mouth is watering. This looks so good. I need to add it to my recipe list. YUM!
I use my slow cooker several times a week, so I am always looking for new receipes! This looks delicious and I’ll definitely be adding it to me menu this week!
I am pinning this for later. I love using my slow cooker, and this looks delicious!
Slow cooker re ipes arw great.Your Bolognase sounds delicious .Will be using this recipe.
Oh this looks phenomenal for the cooler winter months! Will have to make it for my family next time we go grocery shopping!
This would be delicious smothered over angel hair pasta or for dipping garlic bread in. I can’t get over how easy it is to make. I have to try this.
it looks super tasty and easy to do! will try it for sure!It’s ideal for rainy days as a comfort food!
Hhmm looks yummy! In the Philippines we called this as “giniling” or just grounded meat. Its a usual homecooked meal and we love it!
-blairvillanueva
Your pictures are making me hungry, even if I just had lunch! This looks delicious.
This looks absolutely amazing. I have done a few things with my slow cooker but they never end up looking like that. I will have to try your recipe.
I haven’t made bolognese in such a long time. This post – and those photos – tell me it’s time.
I need a slow cooker. This looks delicious and easy to make.