Perfect Spaghetti Sauce (crock-pot)

Total Time: 8 hrs 25 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 1 -1 1/2 lb ground beef or 1 -1 1/2 lb sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced fine
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (46 ounce) can tomato juice
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste (2 cans, for thicker sauce)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• salt & pepper
• red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in large skillet over med-high heat until hot.
• 2 brown onion and 2 cloves of garlic in oil, but do not burn!
• 3 add meat to skillet and cook thoroughly. (drain meat if desired).
• 4 in a crock pot, add juice, sauce, paste, 2 cloves of garlic, sugar, spices, and meat mixture and cook on low all day (8-12 hours -- the longer, the better!). can cook on high for less time, as well, but may not be as thick. *to thicken up, "crack" lid for the last few hours.
• 5 serve over hot pasta and freeze any leftover sauce for later!