Slow Cooker Spaghetti And Meat Sauce Recipe
When it comes to making a hearty and delicious meal, few things beat a classic spaghetti and meat sauce recipe. This dish is a staple in many American households, and for good reason – it's easy to make, it's filling, and it's absolutely delicious.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it can be made in a slow cooker. This means that you can spend your day doing other things while your dinner cooks itself. Plus, slow cooking the meat and sauce together allows the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a truly mouth-watering meal.
Ingredients
Before you start cooking, you'll need to gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. Here's how to make slow cooker spaghetti and meat sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, and cook until the onion is tender.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and the sauce is thick and flavorful.
- When the sauce is almost done, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
- Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to a large serving dish.
- Pour the meat sauce over the spaghetti and toss to combine.
- Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Tips
If you want to make this recipe even more delicious, here are a few tips:
- Use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Add chopped vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce for extra nutrition.
- Top the finished dish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Conclusion
Slow cooker spaghetti and meat sauce is a classic American dish that's perfect for a cozy family dinner. It's easy to make, filling, and delicious, and it's sure to become a favorite in your household. Plus, with the slow cooker doing all the work, you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your evening. So why not give it a try tonight?