• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Our Salty Kitchen
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Season
    • Fall Recipes
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Winter Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Keto
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Course
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments and Sauces
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
  • Method
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Stir Fry
  • About
    • Let’s Collaborate!
    • Recipe Photography for Food Bloggers
    • Photography Portfolio
    • License Images
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Salads
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home » Dietary Restrictions » Gluten Free » Crockpot Bolognese over Roasted Spaghetti Squash

    Crockpot Bolognese over Roasted Spaghetti Squash

    October 26, 2017 (updated December 17, 2021) by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This crockpot bolognese is an easy, kid friendly gluten free meal. Packed with real, whole foods, it's a savory, hearty, weeknight meal that is perfect for chilly winter nights. Start this bolognese in the slow cooker first thing in the morning and enjoy this healthy, hearty meal after work!

    Last weekend I set out to make a crockpot version of my Sunday sauce with meatballs, but wound up making this Crockpot Bolognese instead. I’m not sorry. This meaty red sauce is so easy and satisfying, and of course the slow cooker does 90% of the work. It’s gluten free, packed with real, whole foods, freezes like a boss, and is totally kid friendly. In other words, it’s weeknight dinner gold.

    This crockpot bolognese is an easy, kid friendly gluten free meal. Packed with real, whole foods, it's a savory, hearty, weeknight meal that is perfect for chilly winter nights. #glutenfree #bolognese #crockpot #weeknight #kidfriendly #recipe
    Jump to:
    • Crockpot Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash Recipe Notes
    • How to Roast Spaghetti Squash
    • Recipe
    • Recipe

    The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and my tiny humans have persistent runny noses and rosy cheeks. Winter is coming y’all. It can feel like a superhuman challenge to find nutrient-dense, real whole food recipes the closer we get to the winter season. At the height of summer I’m damn near close to being a vegetarian, but as soon as late October hits I do a carnivorous 180. All of the meat and potatoes! The struggle is so real.

    In reality, hardy greens, cabbages, root vegetables, winter squash, and citrus fruits are plentiful over the next few months and I’ve set out on a mission to gather a handful of recipes using winter produce that my kids will eat without complaint. Okay fine, “without complaint” is totally pushing it, so for now I’ll just set my sites on “will eat”. Realistic Goals for $200 Alex.

    This crockpot bolognese is an easy, kid friendly gluten free meal. Packed with real, whole foods, it's a savory, hearty, weeknight meal that is perfect for chilly winter nights. #glutenfree #bolognese #crockpot #weeknight #kidfriendly #recipe

    First up? Crockpot bolognese over spaghetti squash. I actually intended to make a crockpot version of my Sunday sauce with meatballs, but I got distracted. I’m not sorry though, because bolognese is tasty AF and loaded with hidden vegetables. And you’ll double the veggie factor by serving it over roasted spaghetti squash. All of the winning.

    Crockpot Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash Recipe Notes

    As much as I love traditional methods for cooking sauces, stews, and roasts, you simple cannot beat the convenience of a crock pot. While you can totally slow-simmer this bolognese recipe on the stove until it’s fall apart tender and intensely flavored, you don’t have to. The prep and stovetop cooking is about 30 minutes. I know…it’s a wee bit longer that I’d like, too. However, because you’re putting fully cooked beef into the crockpot, you can go ahead and prep it the evening prior, transfer to the fridge, and then set it and forget it in the morning for an easy, kid-friendly weeknight dinner.

    How to make crockpot bolognese, an easy, kid friendly weeknight dinner! The base starts with browned grass fed ground beef.

    This recipe for crockpot bolognese starts out with a full two pounds of local grass fed ground beef. You’ll get it nice and browned, and then transfer to the crock pot.

    How to make crockpot bolognese, an easy, kid friendly weeknight dinner! Softened mirepoix (carrots, onions, and celery) deglazed with dry red wine.

    Then, using the same pan, you’ll soften up some mirepoix and garlic, and then deglaze it all with some good, dry red wine.

    How to make crockpot bolognese, an easy, kid friendly weeknight dinner! Whole peeled tomatoes crushed by hand and an Italian dried herb spice blend make this bolognese savory and complex.

    Bolognese is mostly a meat sauce, so heaps and heaps of tomatoes aren’t required. I use a single 28-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes. I crush them by hand because I find that the texture of the finished sauce is that perfect silky-but-still-chunky texture. Be careful when you crush them because those suckers splatter like nobody’s business. I find that if I hold the tomato in my hand and make a small puncture in the center of the flesh with my thumb, I can squeeze out the juices just enough before crushing them so that I don’t look like I’ve stepped off the set of The Walking Dead when I’m done. If all else fails, used diced tomatoes – I won’t tell.

    How to make crockpot bolognese, an easy, kid friendly weeknight dinner! Bolognese sauce with grass fed ground beef, mirepoix, red wine, herbs, and cream in the crockpot read to simmer long and slow.

    A splash of cream and a dusting of herbs later and we’re good. Set it and forget it y’all. While this sauce is nice after simmering on high for 4 hours, it’s best on low for 8.

    How to make crockpot bolognese, an easy, kid friendly weeknight dinner! Slow cooked bolognese sauce with grass fed ground beef, mirepoix, red wine, herbs, and cream.

    Crockpot bolognese freezes like. a. boss. This recipe makes eight generous servings, and half immediately goes into the freezer for the ultimate “fast food” weeknight dinner.

    How to Roast Spaghetti Squash

    Like I mentioned above, I really like this crockpot bolognese over spaghetti squash. It’s traditionally served over pappardelle (which is rad), but roasted spaghetti squash really ups the nutrition ante with the added benefit of making this 100% gluten-free. If you’ve never roasted spaghetti squash before, head this way. It’s SO EASY.

    How to roast spaghetti squash. Raw spaghetti squash, halved and dressed with olive oil and salt and pepper. Ready to be roasted and served with crockpot bolognese. Easy, gluten-free pasta substitution.

    Heat up the oven. Slice that baby in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub the flesh down with oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    How to roast spaghetti squash. Caramelized and roasted spaghetti squash fresh from the oven. Ready to be raked and served with crockpot bolognese. An easy, gluten free pasta substitute!

    Plop the spaghetti squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet and roast for about 40 minutes, until the skin is browned and the edges are curling inward. It’s done when you can easily piece the skin with a fork.

    How to roast spaghetti squash. Caramelized and roasted spaghetti squash, raked and ready to be served with crockpot bolognese. An easy, gluten free pasta substitute!

    Using a fork, gently rake the flesh, starting at the edges and moving towards the center. This will give you those long, spaghetti-like noodles. And you’re done. EASY!

    This crockpot bolognese is an easy, kid friendly gluten free meal. Packed with real, whole foods, it's a savory, hearty, weeknight meal that is perfect for chilly winter nights. #glutenfree #bolognese #crockpot #weeknight #kidfriendly #recipe

    Did you make this Crockpot Bolognese? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    This crockpot bolognese is an easy, kid friendly gluten free meal. Packed with real, whole foods, it's a savory, hearty, weeknight meal that is perfect for chilly winter nights. Start this bolognese in the slow cooker first thing in the morning and enjoy this healthy, hearty meal after work!

    Crockpot Bolognese

    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    This crockpot bolognese is an easy, kid friendly gluten free meal. Packed with real, whole foods, it’s a savory, hearty, weeknight meal that is perfect for chilly winter nights. The pre-crockpot prep and cook time takes about 30 minutes, and the suggested time in the crock pot is 8 hours on low. 
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 8 hrs 25 mins
    Total Time: 8 hrs 35 mins
    Servings : 8
    Calories: 509

    Recommended Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Crockpot
    • Slotted Spoon
    • Wood Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
    • 2 lb ground beef
    • 1 large sweet onion, finely diced to ¼″
    • 2 medium carrots, finely diced to ¼″
    • 2 medium celery stalks, finely diced to ¼″
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 c. dry red wine
    • 1 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
    • ½ c. heavy cream
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
    • 1 tsp dried basil
    • ½ tsp dried parsley
    • pinch oregano
    • pinch thyme
    • pinch dried red pepper flakes, or more to taste
    • ¼ c fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
    • ½ c grated parmesan cheese, optional

    Instructions

    • Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add 1 tbsp of oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up the meat, until browned and no longer pink, 7-8 mins. While the ground beef is cooking, dice the onion, carrots and celery, and mince the garlic. 
    • Remove the ground beef from the skillet and transfer to the crockpot with a slotted spoon and discard the rendered fat (keeping it will make the sauce too oily).
    • Return the skillet to the burner over high heat, and add the second tablespoon of oil; heat until shimmering. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 mins. Add the garlic and saute 1-2 minutes more until fragrant. 
    • Add the wine to the vegetables, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the wine stops bubbling, another 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the vegetables and liquid to the crockpot. 
    • To the crockpot, add the tomatoes, cream, salt, pepper, and spices and give everything a good stir. Cover the crockpot and cook on low, 6-8 hours. 
    • Optional: In the last hour, check the bolognese for consistency. If the sauce looks soupy, unlock the lid and set it slightly ajar to allow excess liquid to evaporate and the sauce to thicken up. 
    • Stir in the fresh parsley and spoon over roasted spaghetti squash noodles or another base (pappardelle and polenta are excellent options). Garnish with additional fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. 

    Notes

    Locally Sourced Ingredients:
    Local grass fed ground beef processed by Wagner’s Meats, LLC
    Locally sourced onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and parsley sourced from The Common Market
    Heavy whipping cream from Seven Stars Farm
    Other Recommended Products:
    Muir Glen organic whole peeled tomatoes
    Advanced Preparation:
    This recipe can be prepared in the evening through Step 4 and then transferred to the fridge. In the morning, continue with Step 5 for a less-than-5-minute of prep, easy weeknight dinner. 

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 509kcal (25%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!

    Recipe

    How to roast spaghetti squash. Caramelized and roasted spaghetti squash, raked and ready to be served with crockpot bolognese. An easy, gluten free pasta substitute!

    Roasted Spaghetti Squash

    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Oven roasted spaghetti squash is an easy, gluten-free pasta substitute that is the perfect base for crockpot bolognese! 
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 40 mins
    Total Time: 45 mins
    Servings : 4
    Calories: 38

    Recommended Equipment

    • Baking Sheet

    Ingredients

    • 1 3 lb spaghetti squash
    • 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp cracked black pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400. Slice the squash in half lengthwise and scape out the seeds and fibrous flesh with a spoon. Rub the flesh with the olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and a pepper.
    • Place the squash cut side down onto a sheet pan and then place in the oven on a rack in the lower third. Roast until the exterior is golden brown and the skin can be pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes.
    • Remove the squash from the oven and carefully flip over. Using the tines of a fork, carefully rake the flesh, starting from the edges and moving inward, into long strands. Scrape the raked flesh from the skin with the fork, gently toss to incorporate the seasoning, and serve immediately. 

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 38kcal (2%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love! 

    « Apple Cider Hot Toddy
    Roasted Fennel Salad with Apple and Radicchio »

    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    2 Comments
    Filed Under: Fall Recipes, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Kid Friendly, Main Dishes, Winter Recipes Tagged With: bolognese, crockpot, ground beef, meat sauce, red sauce, slow cooker

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Healthy Tuscan Chicken (Whole30, Low Carb) | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      December 6, 2019 at 1:28 pm

      […] Crockpot Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash […]

      Reply
    2. Instant Pot Beef Ragu (Whole30, Grain Free) | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      January 9, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      […] Slow Cooker Bolognese […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Our Salty Kitchen! We create real food for real people. Our whole foods recipes are seasonal, locally sourced, and simply prepared. Learn More! 

    Footer

    ABOUT US      CONTACT US      PRIVACY POLICY 

    A collage of publication logos that have featured recipes and photography from Our Salty Kitchen.

    Footer

    Privacy

    Privacy Policy

    Let's ConnecT

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About Us

    Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Our Salty Kitchen

    865 shares