Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce Slow Cooker
Spaghetti is a favorite comfort food for many people in the United States. It is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion, whether you are cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special event. One of the best ways to make spaghetti is by using a slow cooker to create a delicious homemade meat sauce. In this article, we will explore the steps to making a homemade spaghetti meat sauce in a slow cooker that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
The first step to making a homemade spaghetti meat sauce in a slow cooker is to gather all of the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients you will need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup red wine
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients, it is time to start making your homemade spaghetti meat sauce in a slow cooker. Here are the steps:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture to your slow cooker.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, and red wine to the slow cooker.
- Stir all of the ingredients together until they are well combined.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the bay leaf from the slow cooker and discard it.
- Use a wooden spoon to break up any large pieces of beef in the sauce.
- Your homemade spaghetti meat sauce is now ready to serve!
Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the best homemade spaghetti meat sauce in a slow cooker:
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry to the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- If you don't have red wine, you can substitute it with beef broth.
- If you want to add more vegetables to your sauce, you can add chopped carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
- If you want to make a large batch of sauce, you can double the recipe and freeze the leftovers for later use.
Conclusion
Making a homemade spaghetti meat sauce in a slow cooker is a great way to create a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following the steps and tips in this article, you can make a homemade spaghetti meat sauce that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you are in the mood for spaghetti, give this recipe a try and enjoy the delicious flavors of homemade cooking!