Mama Mia Spaghetti Sauce - Crock Pot Edition

Here is what we are having for dinner tonight. This is another family favourite and another recipe from my friend Sheri.

Mama Mia Spaghetti Sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
1 clove garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups canned or fresh crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup dry red wine or beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups cooked spaghetti

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add mushrooms, carrots, garlic and shallot to skillet. Cook and stir 5 minutes.

2. Place vegetables in slow cooker. Stir in ground beef crumbling it with spoon. Stir in tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, salt, oregano, basil and pepper. Cover and cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours. Serve sauce with cooked spaghetti.

Makes 5 servings

I made this once with ground chicken and although it still tasted good, my family definitely prefers it with ground beef. I also wonder how necessary it is to cook the veggies in the skillet ahead of time.