Intro
If you are searching for a delicious, tasty meal that can be prepared in the slow cooker and left to cook while you tend to other important business, the best slow cooker bison ragu recipe will provide a scrumptious sauce made out of bison and ingredients associated with Italy.
This is a simple recipe and suitable for a working person, outings, dinner parties, or when preparing this a day before. For those of you who are bored of traditional beef recipes, this bison bolognese recipe serves exactly the same purpose but is far more healthy and flavorful.
It can be mentioned that bison meat is leaner than beef, which can make it a healthier and tastier meat. The meat turns out to be moist and packed full of a delicious tomato-garlic-Italianspices fusion when prepared in a slow cooker.
When it is done, it will be a perfect sauce that goes well with pasta, polenta, and even some nice crust bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rich Flavor: Bison when ground yields a deeper, richer flavor than ground beef, giving your bolognese sauce that extra kick.
Easy to Make: Get ready for a slow cooker, as it will do the work for you! With little preparation, you will be able to lay your hands on a sumptuous meal for dinner.
Healthy Alternative: Bison is even lighter than beef and rich in protein, so it makes this meal very healthy.
Meal Prep Friendly: Prepare lots of portions at once and have leftovers for those other days or for an entire week or month.
Recipe Ingredients
1 lb ground bison
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp. dried basil
1 teaspoon . red pepper flakes (use less if you don’t want the soup to be spicy)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
For garnishing, a spare for fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Ingredient Notes
Bison: Although leaner and with a different texture to beef, bison can be a superior choice. If bison meat is not available, ground beef can be used in the same way.
Wine: The red wine enhances the flavor of the sauce, though you can avoid it in case you dislike it.
Red Pepper Flakes: Add heat to the dish. Use less if you cannot take a lot of spice and use much more if you can stand it well.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Sauté the Vegetables: Using another pan, heat olive oil on medium heat, then cook the onions, carrots, and celery until those are slightly tender, roughly 5 minutes. Place minced garlic and sauté for a further minute.
Brown the Bison: Increase the heat and include the ground bison in the pan and cook until it turns brown while breaking it as it browns.
Combine Ingredients: You can now add the sautéed vegetables, followed by the bison that has a slightly brown shade. This is done by including crushed tomatoes, beef broth, red wine, oregano, basbasil,d pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cook: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook it on low for 6-8 or high for 3-4 hours or until the sauce is thick and delicious.
Serve: Serve the bison bolognese over pasta, polenta, or your preference of base. Top with fresh and chopped basil & grated parmesan cheese.
Tips & Tricks
For a Thicker Sauce: If your sauce is still too thin, you should remove the lid from the slow cooker during the last half hour of cooking time.
Meal Prep: This bolognese freezes well! They do not take long in the kitchen, and you can get two servings easily; freeze the second portion to use on another day.
Vegetarian Option: To get a vegetarian type, replace the bison with meat from plant sources such as tofu, beans, lentils, or chickpeas.
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Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Finally, for the best result, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Serve warm: reheat on the stovetop or even in the microwave.
Freezer: This bison bolognese really freezes beautifully! Package them into freezer-safe packages and use them for
up to 3 months. Reheat gently, and this can be done most easily by placing the dish in the fridge overnight before reheating it.
Additions & Substitutions
Mushrooms: For a more enhanced umami taste, put chopped mushrooms into a sauce as in bolognese sauce.
Spaghetti Squash: If you are interested in a low-carbohydrate meal, you may serve this sauce right on spaghetti squash rather than pasta.
Ground Beef: Ground beef is the best substitute for bison where it isn’t available, or if you didn’t get to trim off the fat prior to browning it, you may need to pat the meat with paper towels and then discard the used paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it possible to replace bison with ground beef?
Ans: Yes, by all means, ground beef may act as a good reasonable replacement for bison.
Q. How many days will bison bolognese take in the refrigerator?
Ans: This dressing may be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days in an airtight jar.
Q. Can I freeze leftovers?
Ans: Absolutely! The bolognese can easily be frozen for up to 3 months. All it requires is that it be thawed properly and then reheated before consumption.
Q. What can I do with bison bolognese?
Ans: The combination is ideal for pasta, polenta, or lasagna; indeed, it makes a great lasagna filling.
Q. How can you control the heat level?
Ans: If the heat becomes an issue, then you will only need to reduce the measurement of red pepper flakes or completely leave them out.
Conclusion
The Easy Slow Cooker Bison Bolognese is not only a delicious and healthy meal but also a versatile one. Its rich flavors, courtesy of the bison, make it stand out from traditional beef-based sauces.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or looking to impress guests with a hearty Italian dish, this bison bolog nese recipe delivers every time. Plus, with easy storage and reheating options, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Try it today and discover why this is one of the best slow cooker bison ragu recipes out there!