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Meat-Lover’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

The aroma is etched in my memory – a Sunday morning ritual that filled our home with warmth and promise. My grandmother, a tiny but formidable woman, would start her sauce before church, browning the meats with a practiced hand while humming softly. The rich, savory scent would greet us upon our return, a beacon of comfort and family. This recipe, a close rendition of hers, rekindles those precious memories every time I prepare it, a taste of home that transcends generations.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Dietary Type: Varies (Not Vegetarian)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
½ lb hot Italian sausage
1 lb lean ground beef
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (14 ½ ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (14 ½ ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Equipment Needed

Large skillet
Slow cooker (crock-pot)

Instructions

Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet onion and the hot Italian sausage. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sausage is browned and the onion is softened, about 10 minutes. Make sure to break up the sausage as it cooks for even browning.
Transfer the cooked sausage and onions from the skillet to your slow cooker.
Using the same skillet, add the lean ground beef, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and marjoram. Cook and stir, breaking up the ground beef as it cooks, until the meat is completely browned. This should take approximately 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet before proceeding.
Transfer the browned ground beef into the slow cooker, joining the sausage and onions.
Now, add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker: the can of tomato sauce, the can of tomato paste, the can of diced tomatoes, the can of stewed tomatoes, the dried thyme leaves, dried basil, dried oregano, and the 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
Stir all ingredients in the slow cooker thoroughly to combine. Ensure that the meats are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for about 8 hours. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Approximately 15 minutes before serving, stir in the brown sugar. This touch of sweetness balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.
Serve hot over your favorite pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for an extra touch of elegance.

Expert Tips & Tricks

For a richer, deeper flavor, consider browning the ground beef and sausage in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This promotes better browning and caramelization.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to partially or fully blend the sauce after it has cooked. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
To make ahead, prepare the sauce up to step 7 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Before serving, reheat in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, then proceed with step 8.
If you find the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of beef broth or water to thin it out.
If you don’t have Italian-style diced or stewed tomatoes, plain diced or stewed tomatoes work just fine. You can also add a pinch more Italian seasoning to compensate.
For a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
Consider adding vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce. Brown them along with the onions for best results.
To deepen the flavor even further, add a splash of red wine to the skillet after browning the meats and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Then, add this mixture to the slow cooker.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve this Meat-Lover’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce hot over your favorite cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne. A side of garlic bread and a fresh green salad complement the meal perfectly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Leftover sauce should be cooled completely before storing. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months.

To reheat refrigerated sauce, warm it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. To reheat frozen sauce, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before warming on the stovetop. You can also reheat the sauce in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	296.8 kcal	N/A
Calories from Fat	N/A	47%
Total Fat	15.6 g	24%
Saturated Fat	5.4 g	26%
Cholesterol	53 mg	17%
Sodium	1226.8 mg	51%
Total Carbohydrate	20.8 g	6%
Dietary Fiber	4 g	16%
Sugars	13 g	N/A
Protein	20.4 g	40%

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Variations & Substitutions

Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground beef and sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or lentils. Add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini for added flavor and texture.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeno pepper to the sauce while cooking for a spicy kick.
Italian Sausage Variety: Substitute sweet Italian sausage for the hot Italian sausage, or use a combination of both for a balanced flavor.
Wine Infusion: Add ½ cup of dry red wine (such as Chianti or Merlot) to the sauce while cooking for a richer, more complex flavor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

A: Absolutely! If you have fresh tomatoes, you can peel and chop them and use them in place of the canned diced and stewed tomatoes. You’ll need approximately 4-5 medium tomatoes.

Q: Can I cook this on high in the slow cooker to shorten the cooking time?

A: While you can cook it on high, cooking on low for the longer recommended time allows the flavors to meld together more deeply and results in a richer, more flavorful sauce. If cooking on high, reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours and monitor closely.

Q: Is it necessary to brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker?

A: Browning the meat is recommended as it adds a depth of flavor and caramelization that you won’t get if you add it directly to the slow cooker. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip this step, although the flavor will be slightly different.

Q: Can I add other vegetables to this sauce?

A: Yes, you can add other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots. It’s best to sauté them along with the onions at the beginning of the recipe to soften them and bring out their flavors.

Q: Can I freeze this sauce?

A: Yes, this sauce freezes very well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Final Thoughts

Now it’s your turn to create some memories! This Meat-Lover’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce is a comforting classic that’s perfect for family dinners or weekend gatherings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and substitutions to make it your own. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine. Please share your experiences and feedback – I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Consider pairing this with a bold Chianti and a crusty loaf of Italian bread for the ultimate comforting meal. Buon appetito!

Meat-Lover’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce Recipe