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Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meatballs with Hidden Veg Sauce Recipe

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meatballs with Hidden Veg Sauce Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 9 reviews

This Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meatballs with Hidden Veg Sauce is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for busy days. The sauce is packed with finely diced vegetables, blended to a smooth, flavorful base that complements the savory meatballs and tender spaghetti. This recipe makes dinner prep effortless while sneaking in extra veggies for a wholesome twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Sauce

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1 small courgette, diced
  • 2 tins (14 oz each) chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp dried basil
  • 1 beef stock cube

Main Ingredients

  • 12 meatballs (approximately 500g)
  • 300g uncooked spaghetti

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and courgette into small pieces to ensure they blend smoothly into the sauce.
  2. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place all vegetables, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil, and the crumbled beef stock cube into the slow cooker. Stir to combine evenly.
  3. Add Meatballs: Nestle the meatballs into the slow cooker among the sauce mixture to allow them to cook evenly and absorb the flavors.
  4. Cook: Set the slow cooker to high heat and cook for 3.5 hours, or alternatively set to low heat for 5 hours, ensuring the sauce thickens and vegetables soften completely.
  5. Blend Sauce: Carefully remove the meatballs with a slotted spoon and set aside. Use an immersion blender or standard blender to blitz the sauce until smooth, creating a rich hidden vegetable base.
  6. Cook Spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
  7. Combine and Serve: Return the meatballs to the blended sauce and mix in the cooked spaghetti thoroughly. Serve immediately while hot, garnished with grated cheese or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute meatballs with plant-based alternatives and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock cube.
  • To make the sauce spicier, add a pinch of chili flakes with the herbs.
  • Stir occasionally during slow cooking if possible to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
  • The hidden vegetables make this an excellent way to include extra nutrients in a kid-friendly meal.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, spaghetti, meatballs, hidden vegetables, tomato sauce, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/slow-cooker-spaghetti-meatballs-with-hidden-veg-sauce-recipe/