Spaghetti Sauce And Meatballs Slow Cooker Recipe
Who doesn't love a good spaghetti and meatballs dish? It's a classic comfort food that's perfect for any occasion, whether it's a family dinner or a potluck with friends. But making spaghetti sauce and meatballs from scratch can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. That's where a slow cooker comes in handy! With this recipe, you can make a delicious spaghetti sauce and meatballs dish with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound spaghetti
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well with your hands.
- Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a slow cooker, combine the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, chopped green bell pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker, making sure they are submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- When the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is heated through, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti.
Tips:
- You can use ground pork or ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, use crushed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes.
- You can add other vegetables to the sauce, such as mushrooms or zucchini.
- If you like a spicier sauce, add more red pepper flakes.
- You can freeze the leftover meatballs and sauce for later use.
With this slow cooker spaghetti sauce and meatballs recipe, you can enjoy a homemade Italian meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The meatballs are juicy and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and hearty. Serve it with a fresh salad and some garlic bread for a complete meal. Buon appetito!