Pasta and Meat Sauce


I love slow cooker recipes, especially as the fall time draws near, well in Texas we consider “fall” anything below 100 degrees. Seriously though, I have to admit that I severely dislike summer for a myriad of reasons, so I love any reason to start the fall season as soon as I possibly can. Something about the smells, colors and of course the food of the autumn season just makes me feel comfy, cozy and so happy. Ok, I’ll shut-up now!

So I tried this Pasta and Meat Sauce recipe from Family Circle this evening and it was so simple and good, let’s just say it definitely was my entry meal into the fall season. Like many slow cooker recipes you just chunk everything into the slow cooker and let her rip for 5-6 hours (I did the 6 hour low setting), make some pasta and there you have it. I can’t wait to have the leftovers the next few days because I think the flavors will intensify over time.

I can’t find the recipe online so here you go:

Pasta and Meat Sauce
Family Circle, September 2009

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 large rib celery, chopped
1 medium-size onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (I used more than this!)
1 1/4 pounds beef chuck steak, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
8 ounces of fettuccine
Parmesan Cheese (optional) (oh yeah I used Parmesan)

1. Put carrot, celery, onion and garlic in food processor and pulse until finely chopped; place in slow cooker bowl. Add diced tomatoes, broth, tomato paste and sugar to slow cooker. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes. Stir in beef and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 6 hours.

2. Using slotted spoon, remove beef chunks from slow cooker and set aside. When cool enough to handle, shred beef and stir back into slow cooker. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook another 30 minutes.

3 Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, about 12 minutes, serve with meat sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

3 thoughts on “Pasta and Meat Sauce”

  1. Hi Emily,

    I just made this recipe last week. It was delicious! Thanks for posting it online. I was searching for it to share with a neighbor. I thought it was an easy recipe with company-worthy results and was very glad I had doubled it to freeze some for another day.

    Have a wonderful day!

    Julie
    Columbus, OH

  2. This is the one I was telling you this weekend that I made. I added some cinnamon and allspice to it, and it was amazing! One of the best meat sauces I’ve had!

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