Italian Turkey Sausage and lean ground turkey are the main ingredients in this simple slow cooker meat sauce!
Nothing beats an easy dinner that’s ready when you need it!
There was a time that I loved to run. I think that time was between the ages of 5 and 10. During that time I ran everywhere! I ran to my friend’s house, then I ran home.
I ran to school and I ran during recess. I ran up the stairs and I ran down the stairs. I ran playing tag and I ran playing chase. I ran and ran and ran and never seemed to tire or get winded.
By the time I got to high school, not only did I hate running, but I found it difficult to do. It only got worse with age. Today, the only running I do consistently is to “run errands”.
If you are carb-loading, then this sauce if for you! Serve this thick and meaty sauce over pasta for the ultimate pre-workout meal!
What Is Meat Sauce?
This meat sauce is a variation on my homemade marinara sauce and a cousin to this Ragu Sauce. It is made with a few kinds of canned tomatoes and two kinds of meat.
In this recipe, I used a combination of ground turkey and turkey Italian sausage, but traditional Italian sausage, ground pork, pork veal or ground beef is fine!
The meat used can definitely be varied as can the seasoning.
How To Freeze Meat Sauce?
This meat sauce freezes amazingly well! Freeze freshly made sauce or leftovers once they have cooled. Place the sauce in an airtight container or in a ziptop bag. Freeze sauce for up to 3 months.
To reheat the sauce, place the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. If the sauce is too thick, add a tiny bit of water to think out the sauce.
How Long Does Meat Sauce Last In The Fridge?
If meat sauce is properly stored in an airtight container, it should last in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat the sauce as mentioned above.
How To Thicken Meat Sauce
If you find that your meat sauce is too running or thin, try simmering the sauce a little longer. Allowing the sauce to cook down a little longer will help thicken the sauce.
Alternatively, you can add tomato sauce to your sauce or cornstarch.
This sauce can easily be made on the stovetop in a large saucepan or a Dutch oven. The slow and low cooking allows the flavors to meld together perfectly!
What To Serve With Meat Sauce?
Pasta is the natural choice for this meat sauce, but you can also get creative! You can serve it on baked potatoes or in this crockpot lasagna!
This Lemony Kale Salad or this Spring Salad would be great sides!
Slow Cooker Meat Sauce
Italian Turkey Sausage and lean ground turkey are the main ingredients in this simple slow cooker meaty marinara!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 lb Italian turkey sausage
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 28 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat olive oil.
- Add onions and garlic and cook for about 4 minutes or until onions have softened.
- Remove to slow cooker. In the same skillet, heat ground turkey and turkey sausage.
- Stir in basil, oregano, thyme, and salt.
- Cook until turkey is crumbled and no longer pink.
- Add meat to onions in the slow cooker. To the slow cooker, add canned ingredients, vinegar, and sugar.
- Stir. Heat on high for 3 1/2 hours.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 250Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 75mgSodium 842mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 3gSugar 9gProtein 21g
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken says
I love slow cooker meals, especially pasta sauces!
Cheryl says
I stopped by from What’s Cookin’ Wednesday because I am always on the lookout for a great slow cooker pasta sauce. You didn’t disappoint! This looks great and your pictures are top notch! Thanks for sharing! HUGS
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
I hate running but I’d run over to your house for a big bowl of this pasta that’s for sure! P.S. Running outside is way easier than on a treadmill. Why I have no idea, but that’s I found!
Lemonsforlulu says
I hate running outside because then you have hills!
Lemonsforlulu says
I’m too embarrassed to run outside! But you can, all the way here!
Tonia says
Cool! Looks super easy to make!
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
I LOVE homemade spaghetti sauces and this one looks great!
Ashlee says
Is there anything I could replace the balsamic vinegar with? I’m not a fan and wondered what I could use instead.
Lemonsforlulu says
You could certainly leave it out or increase your brown sugar.
Chris Caldwell @ World Cup of Food says
Why have I never done this? Meat sauce takes a lot of time anyway, why not just pop it in the slow cooker? This has been a glass-shattering moment for me.
Lemonsforlulu says
Happy to help Chris!
Nicole says
Oh, this looks delicious. I’ll have to try making sauce in the slow cooker sometime. It never crosses my mind.
Lemonsforlulu says
Takes out all the work. I love my slow cooker!
Karly says
I need to add this to the menu for this week! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
I am definitely not a runner, but I run every day. Ha! I just don’t love it like I wish I did. Oh well….the more I run, the more of this yummy pasta & sauce I can eat!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
I’m running over to your place to eat a giant bowl of this!! YUM!!!!!!!!
Lemonsforlulu says
Any time Jen!
Renae // hillmade.blogspot.com says
I need a good spaghetti sauce recipe. Looks good! I’m pinning it to try. 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you so much Renae!
jelli says
This is SO good, Tanya! I made it in my pressure cooker last week (add 1/2 cup liquid and bring to pressure, cook 10 minutes) and we all loved it. Tasted like it had cooked all day. I’m having friends over for a newborn photo shoot today and making this again. Very delish! Thanks for sharing your recipe. So glad my pressure cooker could take over in a pinch!
Morgan says
I was skeptical that this would taste too “healthy” with ground turkey, lean turkey sausage and only 1 tablespoon of sugar for the whole batch, but I was wrong! It was absolutely delicious. We ate half and froze half for a quick supper down the road. Served with whole grain pasta and a sprinkle of parm! Thank you for this quick, filling and delicious recipe!
Lemonsforlulu says
I love freezing this recipe; it tastes just as good when you serve it up the second time. I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe! My family loves this recipe and whenever I need to bring food to another family (for new moms or sick families) I bring this one. Thanks so much for reading and trying the recipe.