Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce

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Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce: A Church Supper Favorite

If you’re looking for a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that will have everyone at your next church supper singing your praises, look no further than this Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce. This recipe has been a family favorite for years, and it’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering as well. With a rich, flavorful sauce made from the finest ingredients and the ease of preparing it in a slow cooker, this dish is both comforting and convenient, ensuring that you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your loved ones.

Why This Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Is Perfect for Church Suppers

This Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce is perfect for church suppers and gatherings for several reasons. First, it’s easy to make in bulk, ensuring that you have enough to serve a crowd. Second, it’s incredibly flavorful and satisfying, with a rich tomato sauce, tender ground beef, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. Finally, the recipe can be customized to suit various dietary preferences, making it ideal for guests with different tastes and needs.

Let’s dive into the details of the recipe and discover why this dish is so beloved.

Ingredients for Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce

For the Meat Sauce:

  • Ground Beef: The ground beef serves as the foundation of this rich sauce. It absorbs the flavors from the tomatoes and spices, offering a meaty and savory base that pairs perfectly with the pasta.
  • Onion: Chopped onion adds a layer of sweetness and depth to the sauce, creating a savory backdrop for the beef and tomatoes.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic enhances the flavor profile with its fragrant aroma, adding a bit of warmth and richness.
  • Crushed Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes are the key to making the sauce thick, rich, and flavorful. They form the perfect base for the entire dish.
  • Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste: Together, tomato sauce and tomato paste create a more velvety and flavorful sauce, providing depth and consistency.
  • Red Wine (optional): A splash of red wine brings a subtle complexity to the sauce, enhancing the richness of the tomatoes. If you prefer not to use wine, it can easily be omitted.
  • Sugar: A pinch of sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and brings out the natural sweetness of the sauce.
  • Dried Herbs: Basil, oregano, and parsley are essential for adding an aromatic, herbal note to the sauce that complements the tomatoes beautifully.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A small amount of crushed red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat, which contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the beef.
  • Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential to bring out the best in all the ingredients and season the sauce to perfection.

For the Pasta:

  • Spaghetti: The spaghetti serves as the perfect vehicle for the flavorful meat sauce, providing a satisfying base that soaks up all the delicious sauce. Cooking it al dente ensures that it holds its shape and texture once mixed with the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce

1. Brown the Ground Beef

Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to avoid an overly greasy sauce.

2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Next, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes, and the garlic becomes fragrant. This will create a savory base for the sauce.

3. Transfer to Slow Cooker

Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine (if using), sugar, basil, oregano, parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to combine, ensuring that the beef and tomatoes are well mixed.

4. Slow Cook the Sauce

Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Allow the sauce to cook slowly, which will help all the flavors meld together into a rich, savory sauce.

5. Prepare the Spaghetti

About 20-30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

6. Combine the Pasta and Sauce

Once the sauce is done cooking, add the drained spaghetti directly into the slow cooker with the meat sauce. Stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the rich sauce. Allow the spaghetti to sit in the slow cooker for an additional 10 minutes to absorb the sauce and meld the flavors.

7. Serve and Enjoy

After 10 minutes, your Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce is ready to serve. Ladle the pasta and sauce into bowls and enjoy hot.

Variations and Tips for the Perfect Spaghetti

1. Make It Vegetarian

For a vegetarian version of this dish, you can swap out the ground beef for a mixture of diced vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, or use a plant-based meat alternative. The tomato sauce will still shine through, and you’ll have a delicious meat-free option for your guests.

2. Add a Creamy Twist

For a richer, creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream or a handful of grated Parmesan cheese toward the end of cooking. This will give the sauce a velvety texture and add extra richness to the dish.

3. Make It Spicier

If you enjoy a little extra heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the meat sauce. The heat will complement the richness of the beef and tomatoes beautifully.

4. Gluten-Free Option

For a gluten-free version of this dish, simply use gluten-free spaghetti in place of the traditional pasta. This easy swap ensures that everyone can enjoy the meal, regardless of dietary restrictions.

Final Thoughts on Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce

This Signature Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Meat Sauce is a crowd-pleasing, comforting meal that’s perfect for church suppers, family gatherings, or any occasion where you need a filling, delicious dish that everyone will rave about. The slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing you to prepare it in advance and spend more time with your loved ones. Whether you stick to the original recipe or try out one of the many variations, this dish will become a staple in your recipe collection for years to come.

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