Featured Recipe...
I just found your site yesterday, and what a resource it will be in the future! Being an 8–5 working mother, I often don't have time to make tough or complicated recipes (especially if we want to eat before 8 pm), and many times I am scrambling for ideas as well as ingredients. Anything quick, fast, cheap and with minimal prep time is enough to catch my eye!
I thought I would pass along this recipe, as it can be put into the slow-cooker slot as well as under Italian. Though I never "measure" any of my ingredients when cooking, I did my best to accommodate. Thanks so much for the site!
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
No one will ever know that you made from "jarred" sauces. Almost everyone I know thinks I slaved all day making it from scratch using fresh tomatoes! This recipe is also the staple to most of my Italian meals, Lasagna, Baked Ziti or any other meal calling for a tomato based sauce.
1 (28 ounce) jar spag. sauce
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (10 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/2 pound sausage, chopped into fine pieces (sometimes I use the links, and slice giving it more "gusto" in it's appearance, as well as making it look "more homemade")
1/2 pound ground turkey
2 onions, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, minced
3 cloves garlic, pressed
basil
oregano
Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 packet's of Sweet-n-Low OR 4 teaspoons of sugar or sweeten to your individual taste
(If you need more sauce, or need more liquid, add another jar of store bought spag. sauce, or can of tomato sauce … NEVER add water!!!)
1. In a slow cooker, combine diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Set slow cooker to High.
2. Place ground turkey and ground turkey sausage in a large, deep skillet. No need to add oil, just start it over low heat, and you should not have to drain! (If you use beef, you will need to drain.) Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Crumble browned meat finely, add onions, green pepper, and garlic until onions are translucent. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Season with spices.
4. Cover, and cook on low for no less than 7 hours. Should you need it quicker, cook on High for minimum of 3 hours. Remember, the longer it cooks, the better it will taste!
Submitted by Leona Ruslavage
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Your spaghetti sauce sounds fantastic, Leona! I make my own as well but just cook it slow on the stove top the old fashioned way. You can also substitute a large can or two of tomato sauce and up your spices in place of the jar sauce. Then your "homemade" sauce will be even more homemade, and a little cheaper! :o) - Michelle
