Jar Spaghetti Sauce In Crock Pot
Are you looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious spaghetti sauce? Look no further than your favorite jar of spaghetti sauce and your trusty crock pot! With just a few simple steps, you can have a flavorful and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion. In this article, we'll show you how to make jar spaghetti sauce in a crock pot, and we'll also include some tips on how to customize your recipe to suit your taste.
Why Use a Crock Pot for Spaghetti Sauce?
The crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including spaghetti sauce. Using a crock pot to make spaghetti sauce has several benefits:
- It's easy and convenient. Once you've added all the ingredients to the crock pot, you can set it and forget it. There's no need to stand over a hot stove or constantly stir the sauce.
- It allows the flavors to meld together. Cooking the sauce slowly over a long period of time allows the flavors to blend together and intensify, resulting in a richer and more flavorful sauce.
- It's perfect for busy schedules. If you're short on time, you can prep the ingredients and start the crock pot in the morning, and by the time you get home from work, dinner will be ready and waiting.
Ingredients You'll Need
To make jar spaghetti sauce in a crock pot, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 jar of spaghetti sauce (about 24-26 ounces)
- 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
Here's how to make jar spaghetti sauce in a crock pot:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned, stirring frequently. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the crock pot.
- Add the jar of spaghetti sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles.
Customization Tips
If you want to customize your jar spaghetti sauce in a crock pot recipe, here are some ideas:
- Add vegetables. You can add chopped carrots, celery, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the sauce to give it extra flavor and nutrition.
- Use different meats. Instead of ground beef or Italian sausage, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork.
- Try different spices. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. You can also experiment with different herbs, such as thyme or rosemary.
- Make it vegetarian. If you're vegetarian or just want to cut down on your meat intake, you can skip the meat and add extra vegetables or a meat substitute, such as tofu or tempeh.
Conclusion
Jar spaghetti sauce in a crock pot is a simple and delicious way to make a hearty and flavorful meal that's perfect for any occasion. With just a few ingredients and some customization, you can make a sauce that's tailored to your taste. So why not give it a try and see how easy and convenient it can be to make spaghetti sauce in a crock pot?