Pasta Sauce Success!

The thought of making my own pasta sauce scared me.  I know, I know ... it's such a simple thing to make.  But I have a fear, a large fear of ... tomatoes.  Crazy, I know.  It's the fresh ones that make me squirm.  I wish I liked them, I really do.  But I do adore a good sauce.  We use Emeril's marinara sauce, but have found it a bit too sweet to use for a baked italian dish like lasagna or ziti.  I finally decided that I needed to suck it up, put my big girl apron on, and try to make a simple pasta sauce that we would love.  I browsed a couple of recipes and found one that sounded pretty good.  I have to admit, I saw the word "wine" in the ingredients list and I was sold.  I'd like to share my version of the recipe with you - I made changes based on our likes and dislikes.  It was a yummy success!  
Best dishes and yummy dreams!

xo,

Slow Cooker Pasta Sauce

(adapted from Spaghetti Sauce II  by: Melinda Connery)

• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 1 cup shredded carrots, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes - I use San Marzano and chop them into bite-sized pieces, discard the extra liquid
• 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste
• 1 (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce 
• 1/2 Tbsp. dried basil
• 1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp. parsley
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup red wine (one that you would like to drink)
• 1 c. beef broth
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire
• 1/2 tsp. salt, or more
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper 
• 1/2 pound extra lean ground beef (optional)
• Also optional:  mushrooms, chopped zucchini, etc.
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• 1.  In a pan, saute onion and carrots in olive oil, add garlic right before onions are ready (optional twist - saute mushrooms too!).  
• 2.  When sauteing is complete, place vegetables into a slow cooker.  
• 3.  In the same skillet, brown ground beef, then remove and rinse.  
• 4. Add the beef and all of the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and stir.  
• 5.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours...the longer the better!  
• Turn to warm and allow sauce to slightly cool and thicken before serving.
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• Bon Appetito, loves! xo   
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