Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup carrot, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 1/4 cup low sodium beef broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/2 cup mascarpone or 1/2 cup cream cheese

1. Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat.
2. Add ground sirloin and bulk sausage; cook until no longer pink.
3. Using a fine-mesh sieve, drain fat; set beef and sausage aside.
4. Mince onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in a food processor; transfer to a 4- to 6-qt. slow cooker.
5. Add meat mixture, tomatoes, milk, wine, beef broth, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, salt, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and fennel seed to slow cooker.
6. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours.
7. Immediately before serving sauce, stir in mascarpone or cream cheese.

extra virgin olive oil, ground sirloin, italian sausage, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, tomatoes, milk, red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, basil, oregano, red pepper, fennel seed, mascarpone

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/slow-cooker-bolognese-sauce-480007 (may not work)