Emilie Meyer
Slow cooker spaghetti sauce is a hearty blend of beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, slow-simmered to perfection. This easy-to-make sauce is perfect for a weeknight meal or to feed a crowd. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes. The crockpot allows you to combine all the ingredients and let them cook slowly, filling your home with an amazing aroma. You can also tweak the recipe by adding red wine, using fresh tomatoes, or adjusting the spices to your preference. The sauce freezes well, making it convenient for future meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, water, dried basil, dried oregano, dried fennel, dried parsley flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil, red wine, Italian seasoning, marjoram, rosemary, cinnamon, thyme, butter, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar |
| Cook Time | 3-4 hours on low heat, or 8 hours on low heat or 4 hours on high heat |
| Preparation | Combine ingredients in a slow cooker, stir, and let cook |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve over spaghetti or other pasta, or use as a filling for meatball-style subs or lasagna |
| Storage | Can be refrigerated for 4-5 days or frozen for up to 3 months |
| Modifications | Can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or meatballs; can add wine, fresh tomatoes, beef broth, or vegetables for extra flavor |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Meat options: beef, sausage, turkey, chicken, or meatballs
- Vegetables: carrots, celery, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers
- Herbs and spices: basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon
- Other ingredients: red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, sugar
- Cooking and storage tips: stir occasionally, adjust ingredients, refrigerate or freeze
Meat options: beef, sausage, turkey, chicken, or meatballs
When it comes to crockpot spaghetti, there are several options for meat lovers. You can choose from beef, sausage, turkey, chicken, or meatballs, and adjust the recipe to your liking.
Beef
If you're a fan of ground beef, you're in luck. This is a popular choice for crockpot spaghetti sauce. You can cook the ground beef in a skillet with garlic and onion, breaking it up into small pieces and draining the grease. Then, simply combine it with the other ingredients in the slow cooker. You can also opt to not brown the ground beef first and let the crockpot do all the cooking, but make sure to use low-fat meat to avoid excess grease in your sauce.
Sausage
For those who enjoy sausage, you can use ground Italian sausage along with the ground beef to add some extra flavor to your sauce. Cook the sausage and beef together in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot, or substitute the beef with sausage for a different take on the recipe.
Turkey
If you're looking for a lighter option, ground turkey is a great choice. You can easily substitute ground turkey for either the beef or sausage in the recipe, or use half ground beef and half ground turkey to reduce the calories while still enjoying a flavorful sauce.
Chicken
For crockpot chicken spaghetti, start by seasoning chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, parsley, and paprika. Add minced garlic, Cream of Chicken Soup, and Rotel (canned diced tomatoes with green chilis) to the crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked. Once cooked, shred or cut the chicken into cubes and add it back to the crockpot. Stir in sour cream and shredded cheese, then add cooked spaghetti and mix well before serving.
Meatballs
For a hearty meal, crockpot spaghetti and meatballs is a great option. Use frozen meatballs and layer them with spaghetti sauce in your crockpot. Cover and cook on low for about 2.5 hours, stirring halfway through to ensure the noodles don't stick together. The meatballs should be heated through and the noodles soft when done.
No matter which meat option you choose, you can customize your crockpot spaghetti to your taste and create a delicious, hearty meal.
The Many Faces of Cast Iron: Understanding the Qualities and Craftsmanship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vegetables: carrots, celery, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers
Vegetables are a key ingredient in crock pot spaghetti sauce, and carrots, celery, mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers are all great choices to include. Here's a guide to using these vegetables in your sauce:
Carrots: Grated carrots add sweetness and a subtle earthy flavour to your sauce. They also help to thicken the sauce and give it a rich, velvety texture. Try adding one or two grated carrots to your sauce, and adjust to your taste preference.
Celery: While celery is not as commonly used as other vegetables in spaghetti sauce, it can add a nice, subtle savoury flavour. Try adding one or two stalks, finely chopped, to your sauce.
Mushrooms: Mushrooms are a versatile vegetable that can enhance the flavour and texture of your sauce. They have a savoury, umami taste that pairs well with tomatoes. You can use white button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or portobello mushrooms, depending on your preference. Slice or chop them before adding to your sauce.
Zucchini: Zucchini can add a boost of nutrition to your sauce, as it is rich in vitamins and minerals. It has a mild flavour that blends well with other ingredients. However, zucchini has a high water content, so it's best to sauté it before adding it to your crock pot to prevent excess liquid in your sauce.
Bell Peppers: Bell peppers come in various colours, including green, red, and yellow, and they add a sweet, slightly tangy flavour to your sauce. They also contribute to a thicker consistency. You can chop them into small pieces or slice them into strips, depending on your preferred texture.
When preparing your crock pot spaghetti sauce, feel free to experiment with the amounts and combinations of these vegetables to find your perfect blend. Remember to consider the cooking time and texture that each vegetable contributes to your sauce.
Make Tarts Without a Tart Pan: Yes, It's Possible!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Herbs and spices: basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon
Herbs and spices are key to making a delicious spaghetti sauce in your crock pot. The beauty of making spaghetti sauce is that you can customise the herbs and spices to your taste.
A blend of dried Italian herbs and spices is a great way to achieve a traditional flavour. You can use dried Italian seasoning, which usually includes a combination of oregano, basil, thyme, sage, and marjoram. If you want to add extra rosemary, you can use dried rosemary or fresh rosemary sprigs. You can also add dried or fresh basil, which is a popular herb to garnish the dish.
For a stronger flavour, you can use fresh herbs instead of dried ones. Just remember that the ratio of fresh to dried herbs is usually 3:1. So, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, you would use 3 teaspoons of fresh oregano.
You can also experiment with other herbs and spices. Cinnamon, for example, can add an interesting twist to your sauce. Red pepper flakes will give your sauce a spicy kick, while bay leaves can add depth of flavour, but remember to remove them before serving.
The beauty of crock pot cooking is that you can customise the recipe to your taste and let it cook slowly, allowing the flavours to meld and develop. So, feel free to experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your perfect spaghetti sauce.
Removing Stubborn Bean Stains from Pans: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Other ingredients: red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, sugar
Red wine is a great ingredient to add depth to your spaghetti sauce, giving it the impression that it has been simmering all day. You can add 1/4 cup of red wine to the pan after the ground beef has browned. Allow the wine to reduce slightly, then add the mixture to the slow cooker. Alternatively, you can add a splash of red wine at the beginning of the recipe if you would like a red wine-flavoured sauce. If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, you can use a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar with a cup of beef, chicken, or vegetable stock.
Beef broth can be used as a substitute for red wine, adding richness to your sauce. You can also use it to deglaze the skillet, pouring it into the pan and scraping up any browned bits off the bottom. Then, simmer over medium-high heat until the liquid evaporates before transferring to the slow cooker. If you want a thicker sauce, you can add more beef broth or beef bouillon to the crockpot.
Tomato paste is an essential ingredient in crockpot spaghetti sauce, as it allows the sauce to thicken. You can also use it to thicken your sauce if it becomes too thin; simply stir in some tomato paste.
Sugar is another important ingredient to round out the flavours of your sauce. Brown sugar is preferred over white granulated sugar, as it brings a molasses-like sweetness that complements the sauce. You can also add more sugar to taste to make the sauce thicker.
Cleaning Car Drip Pans: Easy Tips for Sparkling Trays
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking and storage tips: stir occasionally, adjust ingredients, refrigerate or freeze
When cooking spaghetti sauce in a crockpot, you don't need to worry about stirring it often or watching it carefully. Simply combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it cook on low for three to four hours. You can also cook it on high for four hours or low for eight hours, depending on your preference.
Taste the sauce halfway through cooking and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you're using fresh herbs like basil or parsley, stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking to preserve their flavour and freshness. You can also add more vegetables like carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, celery, or mushrooms to boost the nutrition of your sauce. These can be sautéed with the onions or added directly to the slow cooker.
If you want to add meat to your sauce, brown it separately in a skillet before stirring it into the sauce. You can use ground beef, Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken. You can also add frozen meatballs or substitute meat with plant-based alternatives.
To make your sauce thicker, drain the diced tomatoes before adding them to the crockpot. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the ingredients before serving.
After cooking, stir your sauce well and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or sugar. You can also add red pepper flakes for extra spice. Then, let the sauce cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four to five days. The sauce can also be frozen for later use. Divide it into two or three-cup portions and store it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to three months.
Pan's Labyrinth' Subtitles: Enhancing the Fantasy Experienc
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You will need ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, herbs and spices, sugar, salt, and pepper. You can also add red wine, beef broth, and vegetables such as carrots, celery, or mushrooms.
The sauce should be cooked on low for around eight hours or on high for about four hours. It is possible to overcook the sauce, so it is recommended that you do not cook it for longer than ten hours.
To make the sauce thicker, drain the diced tomatoes before adding them to the crock pot. You can also use an immersion blender to make the sauce smoother.
Let the sauce cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. You can also freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to three months.
