Tillie Doyle
Slow cookers are a convenient way to cook a hearty and flavorful meat sauce. The process is simple and easy to follow, and you can use a variety of meats, including ground beef, Italian sausage, and chicken. The key steps are browning the meat, adding vegetables like onions and garlic, deglazing the pan with wine, and then transferring everything to the crock pot to simmer. You can adjust the thickness of the sauce with water or cornstarch, and it's perfect for freezing or serving with your favorite pasta.
How to cook meat sauce in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, olive oil, red wine, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, basil, sugar, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, marjoram, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, mushrooms, pepperoni, beef broth, cornstarch |
| Cookware | Skillet, crock pot, slow cooker |
| Preparation | Brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic in a skillet. Drain excess fat. Place the meat mixture into the crock pot. Add the remaining ingredients except for the sugar. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in sugar before serving. |
| Serving suggestions | Serve the meat sauce over pasta, rice, or potatoes. Can also be used as a filling for lasagna, stuffed peppers, or meatballs. |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days. Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Browning the meat
If you are browning the meat, you can also add seasonings to the skillet. Suggested seasonings include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and marjoram. Once the meat is browned, drain any excess fat or liquid from the skillet, then carefully transfer the meat mixture to the crock pot.
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Adding vegetables
While the meat is browning, you can fire up some diced onions and garlic in olive oil in a separate pan. After a few minutes, add in some diced peppers. If you want to add mushrooms, now is the time to throw them in. You can also deglaze the pan with red wine to add body to your sauce.
Once the meat is browned, drain off any excess fat and transfer the meat mixture to the crock pot. You can now add in the vegetables and any remaining ingredients, except the sugar. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
If you want to add spinach to your sauce, you can do so after the sauce is cooked. Heat up the leftover sauce with spinach and serve it with tortellini and Parmesan for an easy dinner. You can also fill peppers with the meat mixture, spoon the sauce over, and bake with cheese until golden brown and bubbly.
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Adding spices and herbs
When making meat sauce in a crock pot, you can add a variety of spices and herbs to enhance the flavour. Start by browning the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onions in a skillet. Drain off any excess fat, then transfer the meat mixture to the crock pot. At this point, you can add your desired spices and herbs to the crock pot along with the remaining ingredients. Some popular options include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, marjoram, oregano, thyme, and basil. You can also add red pepper flakes for an extra spicy kick. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect flavour profile.
If you want to get creative, you can try using different types of meat, such as ground turkey or chicken, or adding extra ingredients like mushrooms or pepperoni. Just make sure that you adjust the cooking time accordingly if you're adding extra ingredients, as they may require different cooking durations. Additionally, consider using different types of canned tomatoes, such as fire-roasted or Italian-style, to add a unique twist to your sauce.
The beauty of cooking meat sauce in a crock pot is that it allows for a slow-cooking process, which helps to tenderise the meat and create a rich, flavourful sauce. You can set it on low and let it cook for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, depending on your time constraints. This slow-cooking method ensures that all the flavours from the spices, herbs, and other ingredients meld together beautifully.
Remember, when adding spices and herbs, it's always better to start with a smaller amount and adjust as needed. You can always add more, but it's difficult to reduce the spiciness or intensity if you've added too much. So, add your spices and herbs gradually, tasting as you go, until you achieve the perfect balance of flavours that suits your preference.
Lastly, don't be afraid to make a large batch of this meat sauce, as it freezes incredibly well. Simply store it in airtight containers or freezer-friendly bags, and you'll have delicious, homemade meat sauce ready to be thawed and enjoyed anytime!
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Adjusting the thickness
On the other hand, if your sauce is too thin, you can use the cornstarch method to thicken it. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold broth or water, creating a smooth paste. You can also use flour as a substitute for cornstarch. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of flour with 2 tablespoons of sauce from the crockpot, stirring until smooth.
If you are using flour or cornstarch to thicken your sauce, make sure to first pour the mixture into a small bowl and gradually whisk in about a cup of the hot sauce from the crockpot. Then, pour the mixture back into the crockpot and stir. This will prevent lumps from forming in your sauce.
Another way to thicken your sauce is to cook it uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour. This will allow some of the liquid to evaporate, resulting in a thicker sauce. Keep in mind that the longer you cook your sauce, the more flavourful it will become.
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Serving suggestions
Meat sauce cooked in a crock pot is a versatile dish that can be served in multiple ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
Pasta
The most common way to serve meat sauce from a crock pot is with pasta. This combination is a classic for a reason—it's delicious! The sauce pairs well with various pasta shapes, including spaghetti, tortellini, and penne. For the best results, cook the pasta fresh and toss it with olive oil to prevent sticking. Then, top it with the meat sauce and enjoy!
Lasagna
If you have leftover meat sauce, consider using it as a base for lasagna. Layer the sauce with ricotta and cheese in a skillet and bake until melted and bubbly. This creates a hearty and comforting lasagna that your family and friends will love.
Stuffed Peppers
Another creative way to use meat sauce is to stuff it into peppers. Simply fill the peppers with the meat sauce, spoon in some additional sauce, and bake with cheese until golden brown and bubbly. This makes for a tasty and impressive presentation.
Meatball Sliders
For a quick and easy meal, toss meatballs in the leftover meat sauce and serve them on slider rolls. It's a simple yet satisfying option for lunch or dinner.
Grilled Cheese
For something different, try using the meat sauce as a dipping sauce for grilled cheese sandwiches. The combination of melted cheese and hearty meat sauce is a match made in heaven.
Rice or Potatoes
Think beyond pasta! The meat sauce can also be served over rice or potatoes for a heartier meal. It adds a flavorful twist to these staples and is a great option for those seeking gluten-free alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook the sauce on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
You will need ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, olive oil, red wine, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and sugar. You can also add spices such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, marjoram, oregano, thyme, and basil.
It is recommended to brown the ground beef and sausage in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot. This adds more texture and a richer flavor to the sauce. However, you can also put the raw ground beef directly into the crock pot and let it cook in the sauce.
