Sausage And Spaghetti Sauce In Crock Pot
If you're looking for a delicious and easy meal to make, look no further than sausage and spaghetti sauce in a crock pot. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen but still want a flavorful dinner. Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover sausage or spaghetti sauce you may have on hand. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know to make this tasty dish.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's go over the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
As you can see, the ingredients list is pretty simple and straightforward. You can use any type of sausage you prefer, but sweet Italian sausage works particularly well in this recipe.
Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients, let's get started:
- Remove the sausage from its casing and brown it in a skillet over medium heat. Once it's browned, transfer it to the crock pot.
- Add the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the crock pot. Give everything a good stir to combine.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer you cook it, the more flavorful it will be.
- About 20 minutes before the cooking time is up, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Once it's cooked, drain it and add it to the crock pot. Give everything a final stir to combine.
- Serve the sausage and spaghetti sauce hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
That's all there is to it! As you can see, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. And because it cooks in a crock pot, you can set it and forget it, allowing you to get on with your day while dinner cooks.
Variations
While this recipe is delicious as written, there are endless variations you can try to make it your own. Here are a few ideas:
- Use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet for a spicier dish.
- Add some chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Swap out the spaghetti for a different type of pasta, such as penne or fettuccine.
- Top the finished dish with some chopped fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and flavor.
Final Thoughts
Sausage and spaghetti sauce in a crock pot is a tasty and easy recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. So give it a try and see for yourself!