Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce With Ground Beef
When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a bowl of spaghetti with savory meat sauce. And when you're short on time or energy, a slow cooker can be your best friend. With this recipe for slow cooker spaghetti sauce with ground beef, you can enjoy a delicious and hearty meal with minimal effort. Let's get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and all of the spices to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir the sauce occasionally during cooking.
- Once the sauce is done, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve the sauce over hot cooked spaghetti, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
That's it! This slow cooker spaghetti sauce with ground beef is a flavorful and satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. And the best part? Leftovers can be frozen for later use, so you can enjoy this delicious sauce anytime you want.
Tips and Tricks:
- If you don't have ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add chopped vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce before serving.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste. Add more or less red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like your sauce.
Conclusion:
Slow cooker spaghetti sauce with ground beef is a classic and delicious meal that's easy to make and perfect for any occasion. With minimal prep work and a few hours of slow cooking, you can have a hearty and flavorful sauce that will satisfy your hunger and warm your soul. So why not give this recipe a try and see for yourself how easy and delicious it can be?
