Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce, is the perfect way to use what you have and create a delicious dinner in the process! Come and take a look at this easy process.
I like to take an inventory of what remains before I head out grocery shopping. Because I have been know to double buy. Double buy? Yep. Purchase what I needed and in my busy days, forget that I did and put it on the list again...I do not know if this happens to you, but sometimes my being prepared gets a little side tracked with everything else needing done. Sheesh!
When I took an inventory a couple days ago I found an odd assortment of meat in the freezer. A single pork steak. A freezer bag with three chicken thighs. But happily I knew right away that I had the makings for Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce! Sunday Sauce is simply a slow-cooked red sauce that has an assortment of meat added. You can make it on a low burner on the stove or in a slow cooker, leaving you free to other things done, or relax. It is the perfect pasta sauce to use what you already have and enjoy a delicious dinner in the process.
Plus this makes enough for two or more dinners!
Every house on the block has their own Sunday Sauce Recipe.
Every cook has their own special way of making Sunday Sauce for the family and I will state right now, that not only am I not Italian, but I am also not an expert on how this is done. What I do know is that good ingredients will always come together deliciously in a recipe and this one is no exception. I have a formula more than a recipe because this allows me to use what I have on hand and the small changes from one batch to another are enjoyable!
For many, Sunday Sauce must contain cooked and sliced sausages! Around here we often have homemade sausage in the freezer, but usually in bulk form. However, bulk sausage is perfect to make into meatballs! I do like the following meat options, but rest assured you may add or subtract as desired. You may also use as much or as little meat as you wish. With three kinds of meat this version is rich in meat. But I do enjoy using the following formula for my Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce.
- in our house Meatballs are mandatory.
- Cubed meat so everyone will have a variety of textures and get plenty of protein for dinner.
- And shredded meat. This could be a single pork steak or chop like in today's batch. But I have also used slices of beef shank with wonderful results.
Our Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce is a 2 day sauce.
Personally, I like to cook this sauce for two days, but do keep in mind, that this is mostly cooking time and not hands-on time. At the end of the first day, refrigerate the sauce overnight. The next morning, return the sauce to a simmer before adding the meatballs. They simply poach in the Sunday Sauce until it is time for dinner.Enjoy making Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce your own way, and remember there is no right or wrong way to cook a red sauce. The following is not a recipe as much as a process of creating a delicious dinner using what you have on hand.
Ingredients needed for this recipe:
- ground beef or bulk Italian sausage
- choice of meat for cubed meat
- choice of meat for the shredded meat
- crushed tomatoes
- onion
- garlic
- olive oil
- marjoram
- oregano
- salt
- pepper
You will also need the following:
- cutting board
- kitchen knife
- kitchen spoon
- skillet
- large slow cooker
Now we are ready to begin!
Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce
by the seat of my pants
UPDATED: 11.08.2024
3 28 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
1 large onion
4-6 cloves of garlic
marjoram
oregano
salt
pepper
olive oil
1 pork steak or 1 sliced beef shank - this will be shredded
1/2 - 1 pound beef, pork, or chicken thigh meat - this will be cubed
1 pound of lean ground beef
Parmesan cheese
1 egg
Peel and dice the onion. Add olive oil to a large skillet, and sauté the onion until translucent. Spread the sautéed onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Open the crushed tomatoes and pour over the onions.
Cut the meat that you are using into 1/2-inch cubes.
If needed add more oil to the skillet, and brown the cubed meat. Add the cubed meat to the slow cooker.
Now brown the pork steak on both sides.
Add to the slow cooker along with Marjoram and Oregano to taste. Season with Salt and Pepper.
Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the mixture is simmering.
Reduce the heat to low and let cook for up to six hours.
At the end of the cooking time, remove the pork steak, shred and return it to the sauce.
While the sauce is cooking, make the meatballs.
Combine the ground beef and the egg along with 1/2 - 3/4 c Parmesan Cheese.
When mixed thoroughly make small bite-sized meatballs. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
At the end of the first day, refrigerate the sauce.
The next morning, return the slow cooker to the heating base and cook on high for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the sauce is simmering.
Add the meatballs, again reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 4-6 hours.
Makes enough sauce for 2 pounds of pasta.
To serve, cook pasta and save a bit of the cooking water. Toss the drained pasta with the sauce adding a bit of the pasta water if desired. Sever with Parmesan cheese at the table. Sunday Sauce freezes wonderfully.
Storage options for Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce. You may store any sauce and pasta left from dinner in the refrigerator for up to three days. Sauce not mixed with pasta may be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, or frozen for longer storage. Let thaw before reheating.
UPDATE:
For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce has
been included below.
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Printable "copy and paste" version:
Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce
by the seat of my pants
UPDATED: 11.08.2024
3 28 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
1 large onion
4-6 cloves of garlic
marjoram
oregano
salt
pepper
olive oil
1 pork steak or sliced beef shank - this will be shredded
1/2 - 1 pound beef, pork, or chicken thigh meat - this will be cubed
1 pound of lean ground beef
Parmesan cheese
1 egg
Peel and dice the onion. Add olive oil to a large skillet, and sauté the onion until translucent. Spread the sautéed onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Open the crushed tomatoes and pour over the onions.
Cut the meat that you are using into 1/2-inch cubes.
If needed add more oil to the skillet, and brown the cubed meat. Add the cubed meat to the slow cooker.
Next brown the pork steak on both sides.
Add to the slow cooker along with Marjoram and Oregano to taste. Season with Salt and Pepper.
Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the mixture is simmering.
Reduce the heat to low and let cook for up to six hours.
At the end of the cooking time, remove the pork steak, shred and return it to the sauce.
While the sauce is cooking, make the meatballs.
Combine the ground beef and the egg along with 1/2 - 3/4 c Parmesan Cheese.
When mixed thoroughly make small bite-sized meatballs. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
At the end of the first day, refrigerate the sauce.
The next morning, return the slow cooker to the heating base and cook on high for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the sauce is simmering.
Add the meatballs, again reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 4-6 hours.
After adding the meatballs if desired you may offset the lid to get a thicker sauce.
Makes enough sauce for 2 pounds of pasta.
To serve, cook pasta and save a bit of the cooking water. Toss the drained pasta with the sauce adding a bit of the pasta water if desired. Sever with Parmesan cheese at the table. Sunday Sauce freezes wonderfully.
Storage options for Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce. You may store any sauce and pasta left from dinner in the refrigerator for up to three days. Sauce not mixed with pasta may be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, or frozen for longer storage. Let thaw before reheating.
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This is one of those perfect cosy home meals. Perfect for the fall. Yum
ReplyDeleteThanks! Also a great recipe to use what you have on hand. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!
DeleteThat sounds delicious! My mom always made ours with large chunks of pepperoni, sweet Italian sausage, and meatballs. She only made it once or twice a year though and we just loved that the whole house smelled amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delicious! I love hearing about food customs that others have enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMy friend makes the best sauce, I can't wait for Sunday Sauce season.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like a family dinner with a big pot of Sunday Sauce Pasta to pass around! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteThis sounds so delicious and a fun weekly tradition to start! We had an awful mess with red sauce a few months ago and had to get a carpet cleaning to come help with the damage, so I've been hesitant to do anything similar to that. But you've convinced me otherwise!
ReplyDeleteAmelia, thank you! I hope you enjoy making this sauce using the meats and or sausages you enjoy the most. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteThis sounds absolutely delicious Melynda! Perfect for the colder months ahead. Have a lovely week! :)
ReplyDeleteJayne, thank you!
DeleteMelynda, this sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing it at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #63.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, thank you so much. It has a few steps but makes a lot!
DeleteThis sounds like a great idea and something that is great for pulling out later! Love it!
ReplyDeletewww.lisahoweler.com
Lisa, thank you!
DeleteMy sister makes a Sunday sauce every now and then, but as a vegetarian I haven't had it forever. It looks delicious, though!
ReplyDeleteCat thanks, yes this is a carnivore's feast. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
Delete