Forget spaghetti Bolognese. This easy slow cooker recipe is even better

Cooktop Cove: Forget spaghetti Bolognese. This easy slow cooker recipe is even better

By Robin Donovan

Spaghetti Bolognese — tender spaghetti in a rich beef-and-tomato sauce — is always a hit. But why not try something a little different? This hearty and flavorful sauce is made with ground pork instead of beef, but it's still rich with tomatoes and tomato paste. Instead of the usual pasta, this recipe uses gnocchi, which gives the dish a whole different appeal.

One of the best things about this dish is that the gnocchi and sauce cook together in the slow cooker. Not only does that mean less effort for the cook and fewer dishes to wash, but it also means that the gnocchi soaks up all the meaty, tomato-y flavors of the sauce. This is sure to be a hit at your dinner table.

Slow Cooker Gnocchi in Pork Sauce

10 minutes

7 hours

7 hours and 10 minutes

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 ½ pounds ground pork

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 onion, diced

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

½ cup dry red wine

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 cup water

1 1-pound package gnocchi

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Heat the olive oil in a stockpot over high heat. Add the pork and cook, stirring frequently, until it's cooked through and nicely browned. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.

Add the onions, salt, pepper, wine, tomatoes, tomato paste and Italian seasoning.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Add the water and gnocchi, and cook for 30-60 minutes more, until the gnocchi are tender. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese.