Slow Cooker Italian Spaghetti Meat Sauce
This Slow Cooker Italian Spaghetti Meat Sauce is a comforting, hearty dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 9 ounces lean ground chicken or turkey A healthier alternative to traditional beef.
- 1 clove garlic diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 medium carrot peeled and diced
- 5 ounces tomato paste Intensifies the tomato flavor.
- 5 ounces water Helps to balance the sauce’s consistency.
- 30 ounces whole peeled tomatoes or diced tomatoes with liquid, packed with flavor.
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt Enhances all the flavors.
- 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper Adds a touch of heat.
- Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Start by dicing the garlic, onion, and carrot. These aromatic vegetables will form the flavor base of your sauce.
- If you prefer a deeper flavor, you can brown the ground chicken or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. This step is optional but recommended for added depth.
- In your slow cooker, add the ground chicken or turkey, diced garlic, onion, and carrot. Then, stir in the tomato paste, water, whole peeled tomatoes (with their liquid), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Allow the sauce to cook for 6-8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can set it to high for 3-4 hours, but low and slow will yield the best flavor.
- Once the cooking time is up, taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve it over your favorite pasta and garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley for a pop of color.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Chopping Board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden Spoon
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last hour of cooking to allow some moisture to evaporate.
- Use diced tomatoes with herbs for added flavor.
- This sauce freezes well, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Serve with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.