Dukan Crock Pot Bolognese

Crock Pot Bolognese

(NOTE: This is a scheduled post)

We loved this recipe.

The male half of this couple loves pasta, especially tomato (not chunky though) sauces and we haven't had a whole lot of pasta (not even whole wheat pasta) since we started the Dukan Diet.  After finding this recipe on one of our favorite low fat recipe blogs, decided we should pull our crock pot and try it out.

It is relatively more work in the kitchen, especially since we've been making easy stir fry dishes and this is not a "throw everything in the pot and press start" recipe, but it was worth the labor.  It made enough for 5 servings.  We served this with a small Caesar salad.

We made a couple changes to the recipe - used whole wheat thin spaghetti, fat free half and half and turkey bacon.  We are posting the recipe without the carrots.  Oh and we only made half the recipe which was a tight fit in our 2 quart crock pot, but too little for our 4 quart crock pot.  A 3 quart would have been just right!  If you're in Cruise, you may want to omit the oil and have the sauce over Shirataki Tofu noodles.

FYI - Bolognese is traditionally served over tagliatelle, but we already had the whole wheat thin spaghetti.  Leftovers can be frozen.

For Skinnytaste's stove top version, click here.

RECIPE:
Serves 5
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes on stove, then 4 hours in the crock pot

1 1/4 lb. ground turkey, lean (or 1 lb. lean ground beef - the local market here sells 1 1/4 lb. prepackaged)
2 oz. turkey bacon, chopped
1/2 T. olive oil (use cooking spray if you're in Cruise)
1/2 red onion, minced
1 celery stalk, minced
1/8 c. dry white wine
1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1-2 bay leaves
salt and pepper
1 T. dried parsley (if you have fresh, 1/8 c. chopped)
1/4 c. fat free half and half
whole wheat pasta (your choice, but if you're in Cruise, use Shirataki Tofu Noodles)

In a large pan, saute bacon over low heat about 4-5 minutes.  Add olive oil, onions and celery and saute for about 5 minutes over medium heat.  Increase heat to medium high, add turkey, season with salt and pepper and saute until browned.  Drain the fat, add the wine and cook until it reduces down, about 4 minutes.

Add turkey mixture to crock pot.  Add crushed tomatoes, bay leaves and a little more salt and pepper.  Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours.  Before serving, mix in the parsley and fat free half and half. Serve over hot pasta.

We like to cook our pasta about 10 minutes prior to plating our dinner.  We usually add a splash of olive oil, salt and garlic powder to the water and cook al dente. Do not rinse your pasta after cooking.

Enjoy...we sure did!