Turkey or Lean Beef Meat Sauce (Optional Crock Pot)

Rita~'s Note:

No added fat just lots of flavor in this chunky meat sauce. Not just chunky from the meat but from the diced vegies which adds flavor and keeps the fat down without adding to much meat! You can sweeten the sauce if the tomatoes are not sweet enough but wait till it simmers for 1/2 an hour then taste and season as you like. The carrot has a way of taking any tang from the sauce and the onions sweeten it. This make alot so you can have some for dinner and freeze some for the future.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 25

• 1 lb ground turkey or 1 lb 90% lean ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 -2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 -2 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 5 lbs crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
• salt and pepper
• freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large heavy hot pot over medium high heat brown meat. Add onions, garlic, pepper, carrot, and celery and cook till meat is lightly browned being sure to stir often.
2. Add rest of ingredients and bring to a boil then simmer over very low heat for an hour or two. Can be placed in a crock pot and cooked on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Stirring to prevent the sauce from burning.
4. Serve over your favorite pasta topping with cheese, or use for baked ziti, lasagna or use to top a pizza.

Reviews

[StrikingEyes00]

I found this low calorie, low fat sauce and just had to make it. I actually doubled it because I knew it would be wonderful. I followed the recipe exactly as you wrote it out and my family loved it! Thank you for the recipe!

[The Wedding Planner]

Wonderful flavor and so quick to make! I'm never going back to store bought sauce, and my family agrees this is a keeper. Only thing keeping my away from 5 stars was the thinness of the sauce. I added tomato paste to thicken it up to stick to the pasta better. YUM! THanks for a great recipe.

[DrGaellon]

My go-to meat sauce! This is the recipe I turn to for anything requiring a meat sauce. Freezes great, too, perfect OAMC recipe. Don't go for the 99% fat-free ground turkey breast; it turns into styrofoam pellets when cooked. The 93% lean stuff is much better.