Slow-cooker Bolognese Sauce

Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 1/2 lb bulk italian sausage
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup carrot, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 1/4 cup low sodium beef broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/2 cup mascarpone or 1/2 cup cream cheese

Recipe

• 1 heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.
• 2 add ground sirloin and bulk sausage; cook until no longer pink.
• 3 using a fine-mesh sieve, drain fat; set beef and sausage aside.
• 4 mince onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in a food processor; transfer to a 4- to 6-qt. slow cooker.
• 5 add meat mixture, tomatoes, milk, wine, beef broth, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, salt, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and fennel seed to slow cooker.
• 6 cover; cook on low-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours.
• 7 immediately before serving sauce, stir in mascarpone or cream cheese.