Slow Cooker Zucchini Bolognese

Do you have a surplus of zucchini in your garden this summer? If so, then it is time to make Zucchini Bolognese with this easy slow cooker recipe!

This dish originated in Italy and got its name from the city of Bologna. While traditionally made with beef, it can also be made vegetarian or vegan with a few adjustments.

It’s hard not to love food that tastes good and is also good for you! In this blog post I will show you how to make slow cooker zucchini bolognese as well as some other slow cooker pasta dinner recipes.

Megan Markle’s zucchini bolognese

This recipe inspiration is from Megan Markle. I saw that she loves to make zucchini bolognese on the stove-top and I had to try it in the slow cooker. You don’t have to be English royalty to enjoy this healthy version of pasta bolognese. This zucchini bolognese recipe is the perfect dinner for any day of the week.

Just combine a few ingredients with fresh zucchini in a slow cooker to create this meatless dish that has more vegetables than pasta. The best thing about it might be how easy is it to make and we can all thank the Duchess of Sussex for inspiring it!

How to make zucchini bolognese:

Zucchini Bolognese is a classic Italian dish made with zucchini, garlic, and oregano that simmers into a flavorful sauce.

• Zucchini– slice the zucchini and discard the ends. You’ll need about ten cups for this recipe
• Chicken bouillon cubes– vegetable bouillon can be substituted if you prefer.
• Garlic cloves– a staple in Italian cooking, mince approximately two cloves
• Red pepper flakes– Red pepper adds heat, so use measure them carefully. It’s easier to add more later if you prefer a spicy sauce.

The rich zucchini sauce is filled with tasty bolognese ingredients that can be served over fettuccine or rigatoni pasta as the main course of any Italian dinner!

Do you add water in bolognese sauce?

• For our sauce, use around one and a half cups of water. Use less if you don’t want as much liquid in the dish.
• The sliced zucchini will also simmer down and add some liquid to the sauce and it’s always easy to add a bit once the sauce is ready if you find that it’s too thick.

Should I add sugar?

• No, the sweetness in this recipe comes from using zucchini as the main ingredient.
• Adding sugar to the sauce can give it an overly sweet taste that will mask all of its other flavors and textures.

Is Zucchini Bolognese Vegetarian?

My version is not because I use chicken bouillon cubes to enhance the depth of flavor. However, with one simple tweak of ingredients, this recipe can be vegetarian.

To make it vegetarian, simply swap the chicken bouillon cubes for vegetable bouillon cubes. That’s it. Omit the Parmesan cheese as well and the dish is now vegan.

How long does zucchini bolognese cook?

• After adding the bolognese ingredients to your slow cooker, cook on HIGH for 5 hours or low for 8 hours.
• This gives the crock pot pot time to properly soften the zucchini so it’s easy to mash for the sauce.

Tips to make sauce taste better:

• Red pepper- for an extra kick, sprinkle on red pepper flakes to your bowl of pasta.
• Chicken broth- adding the chicken bouillon cubes makes a rich and flavorful stock that gives the sauce more taste.
• Italian seasoning- adding oregano, basil leaves, and thyme to your sauce will give it a traditional Italian flavor that will balance out your zucchini bolognese sauce nicely.
• Garlic- make sure you add plenty of garlic for an extra punch of flavor. Add as much or as little depending on how many cloves the recipe calls for.
• Parmesan cheese- use shaved or shredded parmesan cheese for a rich taste. Grated is perfect for those who want an easy go-to to add flavor on top of the dish.

This easy-to-make, healthy Megan Markle inspired recipe is perfect for when you’re craving something rich and filling but don’t want the guilt. We hope you enjoy this dish!  

Please share with us what other recipes that use alternative ingredients or cooking methods are out there by leaving a comment below. What new food variations have you tried? How does it compare to traditional dishes? Let’s start a conversation!

More pasta recipes to try in the slow cooker:

• Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
• Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
• Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
• Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti
• Slow Cooker Lasagna
• Slow Cooker Feta and Tomato Pasta
• Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

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