Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

 Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce is a great way to make a flavorful, slow-cooked sauce with minimal effort. By using a slow cooker, the sauce has plenty of time to develop deep, rich flavors. Here's a simple and delicious recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1/2 cup tomato sauce (or use an additional can of crushed tomatoes if preferred)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to cut acidity)

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

1/2 cup red wine (optional, but adds depth of flavor)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

Optional Add-ins:

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

1/2 lb ground beef or sausage (for a meaty sauce)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Onions and Garlic (Optional but Recommended):

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for about 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. This step helps deepen the flavor of the sauce but can be skipped if you're short on time.

2. Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot:

In the crock pot, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sautéed onions and garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, sugar (if using), and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. If you’re using wine, add it now.

3. Season and Cook:

Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The longer the sauce cooks, the more the flavors will develop.

4. Optional: Add Ground Meat:

If you prefer a meaty sauce, you can brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet and add it to the sauce during the last hour of cooking.

5. Final Taste Check:

After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or sugar if needed. You can also add fresh herbs (basil, parsley) at this point if desired.

6. Serve:

Serve the spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta or use it as a base for dishes like lasagna, meatball subs, or as a dip for breadsticks.

Tips:

Thickening the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce some of the liquid.

Freezing: This sauce freezes very well, so you can make a double batch and store extra for future meals.

Enjoy your homemade, slow-cooked spagh

etti sauce! It’s rich, hearty, and full of flavor with the convenience of a Crock Pot.