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–+ servings
Crockpot Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Crockpot Spaghetti Meat Sauce for Cozy Family Dinners

This Crockpot Spaghetti Meat Sauce is a hearty embrace of flavors, effortlessly melding ground beef and Italian sausage for a comforting dinner.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef can use all ground beef or all Italian sausage
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage can substitute with equal amount of ground beef for milder taste
  • 1 medium Onion (Diced) or shallots for milder flavor
  • 2 cloves Garlic (Minced) adjust with garlic powder if you like it milder
  • 1 jar Jarred Pasta Sauce consider homemade marinara for better seasoning control
  • 1 can Crushed Tomatoes diced tomatoes can be a great alternative
  • 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning mix with oregano and basil if needed
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar can substitute with honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper omit if you prefer milder
  • 1 leaf Bay Leaf can use dried thyme as a substitute
  • to taste Salt and Pepper season according to your taste preferences
Garnish
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan fresh herbs like basil or parsley complement the dish beautifully

Equipment

  • Crockpot
  • Skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Brown the meats by adding the ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until well-browned.
  2. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in the skillet for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
  3. Transfer the browned meat mixture into the slow cooker, making sure to scrape up any flavorful bits from the skillet.
  4. Add the jarred pasta sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf to the slow cooker; stir until well combined.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  6. After cooking, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Remove the bay leaf and serve over cooked pasta, topped with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This sauce tastes even better the next day! Make extra for meal prep and enjoy enhanced flavors after a night in the fridge.

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