Beef Stew

I love spaghetti with meat sauce. The best thing about the sauce is that the more it cooks the better it gets. I used to make spaghetti sauce only on the weekend because I would start it in the morning and then watch it simmer until early evening. Recently I came across a meat sauce recipe that combines my favorite ingredients but cooks in a crockpot.

CROCKPOT SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Ingredients

1/2  pound Italian sausage

1/2  pound ground beef

1 1/2 medium onions, chopped (1 1/4 cups)

1 cup sliced mushrooms

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 Tbsp. dried basil leaves

1 1/2 Tsp. dried oregano leaves

1 1/2 Tsp. sugar

1/2 Tsp. salt

1/4 Tsp. pepper

1/4 Tsp. crushed red pepper

Directions

In a large skillet, cook sausage, ground beef, onions, mushrooms, and garlic over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Stir occasionally. Drain.

Spoon sausage and beef mixture into 5 quart crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix.

Cover and cook on low heat setting for 8 to 9 hours.  

This recipe make 12 1/2 cup servings.

Quick Tips

Coat crockpot with cooking spray for easier cleanup.

Use pre-cut onions and minced garlic.

Use pre-sliced mushrooms in a jar or frozen mushrooms.

Spaghetti and meat sauce is a special meal at my house. We like to pair it with a fresh garden salad made with romaine lettuce and crunchy garden vegetables (carrots, radishes, and celery) and garlic bread. Since this recipe serves 12,  I usually take some to work the next day and share it with my staff.

Judy Scuderi is an Information Specialist in Florida. She is an avid reader and collector of cookbooks and recipes.

Check out her blog at:

http://www.floridamuse.wordpress.com

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