Tuscan Sausage Ragu

Having guests over for dinner and don't know what to cook? Go get your slow cooker because when you serve this flavorful sauce (over your choice of pasta), everyone will be happy!

1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed

1/2 cup red onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup dry red wine

1 (28 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

salt to taste

1 cup heavy cream

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the sweet and hot Italian sausage until browned. Break the meat up into crumbles as it cooks. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion is translucent. Carefully drain excess grease. Pour the mixture into a slow cooker. Add the wine, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil and oregano and mix. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Pour in the cream, stir, cover, and cook for 1 more hour. Add salt if desired, and serve over your choice of pasta.

(Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com.)

Apple BBQ Sauce

Two weeks ago I made a cajun pot roast with veggies in the slow cooker. It didn't turn out well, but I did manage to salvage the roast part. The beef was seriously lacking flavor and the bottle of BBQ sauce I had on hand was expired, so what was a girl to do? I made yummy beef BBQ sandwiches with homemade sauce using ingredients already in my pantry.

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

In a saucepan over medium heat mix applesauce, ketchup, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Bring mixture to a boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat and let cool. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

The Best Spaghetti Sauce

I have been on a mission to find the best spaghetti sauce recipe for awhile now and with some tweaking, I think I've finally found a keeper. This recipe makes a huge batch, but it's super easy (especially since you use a slow cooker) and it freezes great. Bon appetit!

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 lb sausage
2/3 cup onion, chopped
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
2 - 18 oz cans tomato paste
4 tomato paste cans water
1/3 cup dry red wine
4 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

In a large pan, crumble and cook ground beef, pork, and sausage until brown. Drain off fat. Combine cooked meat mixture and all of the remaining ingredients in a large slow cooker. Cook 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. And don't forget the Italian Meatballs!

Taco Sauce

I think this taco sauce is much better than the store bought stuff in a jar.

8 oz can tomato sauce
1/3 cup water
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool and serve or refrigerate.