This hearty, meaty pasta sauce is cooked in the slow cooker. Fresh zucchini, bell pepper, and mushrooms are added to this tomato and ground beef sauce.

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Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Lean Ground Beef

Terry's Southern Spaghetti Sauce

Tomato Sauce with Vegetables and Basil

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (or use a mixture of Italian sausage and beef)
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 large bell pepper, coarsely chopped (I used a mixture of red and yellow)
• 1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced about 1/4-inch thick
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, coarsely chopped or sliced about 1/4-inch
• 2 tablespoons instant tapioca, optional
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (7 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon basil, dried
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, black or seasoned
• dash of crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 420 minutes

• Total Time: 435 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 Servings

Preparation

Brown the ground beef and onions; combine with remaining ingredients  in a 3 1/2-quart or larger Crock Pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or about half the time on high.

If the sauce seems thin, add about 1 more tablespoon of tapioca or transfer to a saucepan and simmer on the stovetop, uncovered, to thicken.

Serve with hot cooked spaghetti or similar pasta and pass the Parmesan!

Serves 4 to 6.

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Slow Cooker Recipes

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