• info@theculinarycatalysts.com

  • From Garden to Plate: Fresh Flavors, Naturally Grown
bakul
Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs

This is the ONLY way to make this! Even the pasta gets cooked right in the crockpot! SO stinking easy, right?

Ingredients
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • ½ medium sweet onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • For the meatballs
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound Italian sausage, casing removed
  • ½ cup Panko
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, sausage, Panko, milk, egg, Parmesan, parsley and garlic; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into 3/4-to-1-inch meatballs, forming about 32-35 meatballs.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
  3. Place crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef stock, onion, garlic and sugar into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in meatballs until well combined; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
  5. Stir in pasta; cover and cook on low heat for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until pasta is tender, stirring once. Stir in basil.
  6. Serve immediately.