Homemade Spaghetti Sauce In The Crock-Pot
Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen preparing spaghetti sauce? Do you want to enjoy a delicious homemade sauce without all the hassle? Look no further than your trusty crock-pot! With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can create a mouthwatering spaghetti sauce that will have your family begging for more. In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of making homemade spaghetti sauce in the crock-pot.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 2 cans of crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each)
- 1 can of tomato paste (6 ounces)
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of dried basil
- 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
All of these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. You can substitute the ground beef or Italian sausage with ground turkey or leave it out altogether for a vegetarian version.
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients, it's time to start cooking! Follow these simple steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- If using ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Transfer the onion and meat mixture to your crock-pot.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the crock-pot. Stir until well combined.
- Cover the crock-pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally.
- After the sauce has cooked, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve over your favorite pasta and enjoy!
That's it! With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce that's sure to impress. Plus, the crock-pot does all the work for you, so you can sit back and relax while it cooks.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips to help make your spaghetti sauce even better:
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, use diced tomatoes instead of crushed.
- For a little bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of water or chicken broth to thin it out.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Homemade spaghetti sauce in the crock-pot is a game changer for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can have a delicious and comforting meal that's sure to please the whole family. Plus, with the crock-pot doing all the work, you can spend your time doing something else. Give this recipe a try and see for yourself how easy and delicious it can be!