Multipurpose Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce (That everyone needs in their arsenal)

I strongly believe that everyone needs a kick-butt spaghetti sauce recipe in their cooking arsenal.

I can distinctly remember my aunt’s sauce simmering on the stove whenever my family would arrive in town to stay with her as a kid. Clutch move, as we all got hungry at different times and that sauce just bubbled away until we were ready to eat.  My oldest brother nailed his recipe at an early age, sometime in his high school years. This came in very handy when my mom declared we were on our own for dinner!

After many years of trying, I finally figured out my go-to recipe out of necessity for convenience and ease!

We had family coming to town to stay with us, and remembering my aunt’s genius move, I wanted to have spaghetti sauce ready to go when my hungry guests arrived. Problem was, I knew I would be at work all day and we would all be arriving home around the same time.

Enter: Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce!

Now, full disclosure, this sauce is nothing fancy. In fact, it is about as basic as they come. But it is easy, delicious, and multi-purpose!

I make this sauce probably about once a month because it is so useful. I have future posts coming soon for 2 more recipes that use this sauce, other than just devouring it with a bowl of Zoodles or pasta. It freezes great, so I am always happy when I have a couple cups leftover to stow away for another day.

My first instinct when I see a crockpot recipe that requires browning the meat first is to say, “Skip!” After all, what is the point of being able to throw everything into a pot and leave it for 8 hours if you have to dirty a pan and stand over the stove in the first place? DON’T have this attitude, because it is worth the effort in the end.

Side note: One of the main reasons I wanted an Instant Pot/pressure cooker so bad was because of the “sauté” feature it bestows. I have to say, it is a game changer when it comes to pre-browning crockpot recipes. No dirty pan, and I can still mentally tell myself I am saving a step and time before heading out the door for work.

Ok, without further ado, my Basic Multipurpose Spaghetti Sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp Avocado or Olive Oil
• 2 Lbs Ground Beef (also is delicious with 1/2 Italian Sausage)
• 60 Oz (total) sgaphetti sauce or canned tomatoes- if using canned tomatoes, you’ll probably want to triple the Italian seasonings
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1-2 TBSP Italian seasoning (or 1-2 tsp each  Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary)
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• Salt & Pepper to taste (keep in mind the saltiness gets stronger the longer it cooks)

Note: The veggies are all optional, feel free to add or subtract to your liking. I enjoy the different flavors and textures that come from all the different vegetables, plus I am always happy to sneak in more nutrients into a recipe whenever possible!

Instructions:

1. Add oil and heat pan to Medium. (Or prepare you Instant Pot to “sauté.”)
2. Add ground beef/sausage to pan and being to break up chunks as meat cooks.
3. Meanwhile, chop onion, garlic, and veggies.
4. Continue to break up the pieces of the meat as it browns, and add veggies to pot.
5. Once meat is completely browned and all big chunks are broken apart, transfer into crockpot
6. Add tomato/marinara sauce and spices and give it a good stir
7. Cook on low for 8 hours, or hit “Slow Cook” on your Instant Pot.
8. Serve over a bed of zoodles, brown rice noodles, or regular pasta!

Like I said, simple, it’s nothing fancy, but so delicious you’ll be glad there’s leftovers! The crockpot does all the work, allowing the flavors to develop all day long.

Being that food can elicit such an emotional response, I am happy to have my go-to, signature spaghetti sauce. Maybe one day, my nieces or nephews recall their Aunt Maggie’s cooking the way I do about my Aunt! There is nothing better than knowing your food was made with love to feed the bodies of the people you care about the most.

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