We hardly ever go out around Valentines Day for a meal, the restaurants are overpriced and full up. Everyone is out having meals together and it is such a big build up! Also having 3 kids means we can’t always get out for meals together either. I do think it is nice to make that effort too, you shouldn’t be making an effort on just one day of the year. However life does get in the way sometimes, so Valentine Day does give you a little push to make an extra effort to do something together.
Our Valentines Day will consist of a lounge full of kitchen units which would have been delivered the day before, 3 kids running around, probably their homemade cards that they have made and a dog walk! So come the evening we will happily give ourself some time together. We’re probably turn off the gadgets, light some candles have a meal together and probably watch some romantic film, which hubby predicts the ending throughout!
I was given the challenge of creating a recipe that was inspired by Italy, I have never been to Italy before but it is somewhere that looks very romantic. With Gondolier rides through Venice, going to see the Roman Coliseum and sight-seeing through the mountains and lakes. However when it comes to food, pasta is the main dish I think of for Italian cuisine.
So I thought I would show you how we create our twist on Spaghetti Bolognese, over the years hubby has tweaked his recipe but now I think he has it spot on! We also cook it in the slow cooker, which is great if you have a busy day, work or want to spend your time getting ready for your Valentines night.
Our slow cooker Spaghetti Bolognese is so yummy, we get so many compliments on it and the kids love it!
Also this Bolognese can also be used for a lasagne recipe, as well as a spaghetti Bolognese. Here is your recipe which you can print out, but I have also given you visual instructions as well as a video at the bottom of this post. I hope it is all helpful for you. Please let me know if you have a go.
Slow cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
Ingredients
- 500 g mince
- 1 large onion chopped
- 5 mushrooms chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 500 g tomato passata
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp mixed herbs
- 1 cube beef stock
- 2 clove garlic chopped
- 300 g Spaghetti
Instructions
- Pre-heat slow cooker, low for all day, high for 3-4 hours.
- Brown off mince, just so it has just turned brown. Do not over do this as it makes the mince crispy
- We blitz up our ingredients as we like the texture of smaller pieces in the Bolognese, we use an electric chopper to get them really small. Chop up, carrots, mushrooms, onion, and crush garlic.
- Crumble in oxo cube, Worcestershire sauce and pour in tomato passata.
- Mix it up together, and pop lid on and leave to cook.
- Once your ready to eat and your Bolognese is cooked, bowl the kettle for cooking the pasta. Add a pinch of salt to help the pasta not to stick together. Weight out your pasta to the quantity you need. We use 300g for 2 adults and 3 kids. Add to boiling water. Once cooked drain the boiled water away.
- Then serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese if you want.
Ingredients
500g mince
1 large onion chopped
5 mushrooms chopped
2 carrots chopped
500g of tomato passata
1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp of mixed herbs
1 beef stock cube
2 crushed garlic cloves
300g Spaghetti (2 adults, 3 kids)
Pre-heat slow cooker, low for all day, high for 3-4 hours.
Brown off mince, just so it has just turned brown. Do not over do this as it makes the mince crispy
We blitz up our ingredients as we like the texture of smaller pieces in the Bolognese, we use an electric chopper to get them really small. Chop up, carrots, mushrooms, onion, and crush garlic.
Crumble in oxo cube, Worcestershire sauce and pour in tomato passata.
Mix it up together, and pop lid on and leave to cook.
Once your ready to eat and your Bolognese is cooked, bowl the kettle for cooking the pasta. Add a pinch of salt to help the pasta not to stick together. Weight out your pasta to the quantity you need. We use 300g for 2 adults and 3 kids. Add to boiling water. Once cooked drain the boiled water away.
Then serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese if you want.
*Commissioned post
10 Comments
I need to start using my slow cooker as it’s currently sat in the back of the cupboard! You can’t go wrong with spaghetti bolognese, so I will definitely be using your recipe! Thank you for sharing, I have pinned it too 🙂 x
Thank you, it is such a tasty recipe. I love our slow cooker and makes a crazy tea time not so crazy! So I hope you get on well with the recipe.
Oh your Valentines Day sounds great!! Mine will be as chaotic in a different way – we are all going to Cornwall. However I am single so will celebrate in our caravan with the children 🙂 Kaz x
I love a good slow cooker meal. This recipe looks fab and the added Worcestershire Sauce sounds fab.
Laura x
Looks delicious. I haven’t made one from scratch in ages. I normally add peppers into ours as well.
Like you my husband and I rarely go out for valentines. I’ve never thought of doing spaghetti bolognaise in the slow cooker before will need to give it ago it will make it much easier.
This looks fab! Always on the look out for an easy slow cooker recipe to add to my repitoir xx
Great idea to do a slow cook version of this dish! It’s so popular with families, and it makes sense to cook it in a way that’s suitable for a busy family too x
Everyone needs a slow cooker. I love mine but I’ve never tried making spaghetti Bolognese in it.
Yum! I use my AGA to make my spaghetti sauce in the same way you use your slow cooker – slow cooked spagbol is extra tasty for sure!