One Pot Spaghetti- Stove Top or Slow Cooker

I have been using this recipe for years. I found a recipe in a Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook about 10 years ago and have modified it into my own.. I recently tried it in the slow cooker and it turned out fantastic too! See instructions at the bottom.




12 oz ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers(optional)
1 14.5 can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cups beef broth

2 sm cans tomato paste

1 TB brown sugar

2 cups water

seasonings to taste:

basil

oregano

parsley
pepper
seasoning salt

1 lb spaghetti noodles, broken up
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese



In a large pot cook ground beef, onions and garlic until meat is no longer pink.
Drain and return to the pot.











Add beef broth,tomatoes, tomato paste,peppers (if using) brown sugar and water. Seasonings to taste and bring to a boil.

 Add spaghetti, return to boiling, reduce heat and cook 15-20 minutes until spaghetti is desired consistency. Gently stir in parmesan until it is melted.





Scoop onto a plate and top with more parmesan cheese as desired...I sprinkle on a few red pepper flakes too.





Slow Cooker:

Brown beef with onion and garlic, add peppers and diced tomatoes, cook until the peppers and onions are tender and the beef is no longer pink, drain if necessary.

Add beef broth, tomato paste, water , sugar and seasonings. Bring to a boil.






Pour entire mixture into a slow cooker(lined preferably!) and add pasta( I had to use penne, I was out of spaghetti and didnt feel like making a batch LOL).









Cover and cook on low 2-4 hours, until pasta is tender.(you need to watch it pretty carefully so it doesnt get mushy not all crock pots are the same so an exact time is difficult, this is also not an "all day" meal...it works if you want to get dinner done a few hours early, but not if you need to leave in the morning) Fold in parmesan cheese close to the end.


Serve as above.