The aroma of slow-cooked, southern-style BBQ sauce is nothing short of intoxicating. It ignites a craving deep in your bones that can only be satisfied with a heaping plate of perfectly prepared pasta, smothered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce. I am thrilled to share my latest recipe creation with you – Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce.

This recipe takes traditional spaghetti sauce to the next level by infusing it with the bold and tangy flavors of Southern BBQ. The result is a magical blend of sweet, savory, and spicy, that is sure to elevate any pasta dish to new heights.

As a chef and lover of Southern-style cuisine, I have poured my heart and soul into perfecting this recipe. Each ingredient has been carefully selected to create a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave you wanting more.

So get ready to put on your apron, heat up your crockpot or slow cooker, and savor the deliciousness of this BBQ-infused spaghetti sauce. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Y’all, let me tell you why you’re going to love this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe! This recipe is the epitome of comfort food. It’s got all the hearty flavors of traditional spaghetti sauce, but with a smoky, southern twist. Plus, the beauty of using a slow cooker is that you can set it and forget it, letting the flavors meld together all day long while you go about your business.

One reason you’ll love this recipe is because it’s packed with flavor. The combination of ground turkey, spicy chili powder, and smoky cumin create a savory base for the sauce. Then we add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste for that rich, classic spaghetti sauce taste. But we don’t stop there. Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar add a tangy-sweet dimension that pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce. It’s a balance of flavors that’s sure to leave you craving more.

Another reason is the versatility of this recipe. You can customize it to your taste preferences and dietary needs by swapping out ingredients or adjusting the spice level. You could use ground beef instead of turkey or add some red pepper flakes if you like things extra hot. And if you’re watching your sugar intake, feel free to reduce the brown sugar.

And finally, one of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s great for meal prep! Make a big batch on Sunday and use it throughout the week in different ways. You could serve it over spaghetti noodles for a classic dish, use it as a topping for a baked potato or on top of nachos. Or take your leftovers and make a spaghetti casserole with some additional cheese and veggies.

So there you have it folks; there’s plenty to love about this crock pot southern bbq spaghetti sauce recipe! It’s packed with flavor, versatile, and perfect for meal prep. But don’t just take my word for it. Give it a try yourself and see why this may become your new go-to recipe!

Ingredient List

Get your crock pot ready for some down-home southern flavor.

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this irresistible Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe:

1 pound lean ground turkey
2 cans (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped

The Recipe How-To

Let your appliances do the work while you savor the aroma of this savory spaghetti sauce.

Now that we’ve covered the ingredient list and why this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe is a must-try, let’s dive into how to make it.

Step 1: Prepping the Ingredients

First thing first, gather your ingredients and chop the onion, garlic cloves, and green pepper. Clean and slice the fresh mushrooms.

Step 2: Browning the Meat

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add lean ground turkey (or ground beef) and cook until browned. Transfer to a plate when finished.

Step 3: Mixing the Flavors

In your slow cooker, mix together 1 can of beef broth, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of small tomato paste tomato sauce and a bottle of BBQ sauce, 2 cups. Add in 1 chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 green pepper and the sliced mushrooms.

Step 4: Adding Spices

Next, add the spices: 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon of chili powder. Mix well.

Step 5: Slow Cooking

Add in the cooked meat to slow cooker mixture. Cover with lid and cook on low heat for approximately 6-8 hours. Your house will smell delicious when you return from work!

Step 6: Shredding the Meat

Once fully cooked, use a ladle to remove excess fat from slow cooker mixture. Then shred your meat using forks or a shredder.

Step 7: Serving Time!

Mix your shredded meat with the spaghetti sauce you made in your Crock Pot earlier. Pour over freshly cooked spaghetti noodles and serve!

Step 8: Enjoy!

This Southern BBQ Spaghetti dish can be a fun and tasty variation to your typical spaghetti nights. Let’s get cooking!

Substitutions and Variations

The BBQ twist on this classic spaghetti sauce recipe will make your taste buds sing.

Let’s face it, cooking is always subject to change. Recipes can be customized based on one’s taste, preferences, and dietary needs. This slow cooker southern BBQ spaghetti recipe is no exception. If you’re looking to tweak the recipe to cater for your specific needs, there are a few substitutions and variations you can make.

One of the most straightforward substitutions you can make for this recipe is swapping lean ground turkey with ground beef or pork shoulder cut into small cubes. The result will be equally delicious and more affordable if you are looking to cook on a budget.

If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can substitute the meat with cooked black beans or tofu. The sauce has enough spices to give off that smoky flavor without the meat.

Another substitution is replacing Worcestershire sauce with apple cider vinegar if you don’t have it on hand. The vinegar adds a tangy sweet taste that complements other ingredients in the sauce.

To add an extra kick of flavor to your spaghetti sauce, try adding red pepper flakes or red wine to the mix. If you prefer your spaghetti casserole to be sweeter, add more brown sugar to the sauce.

Finally, consider trying out different types of BBQ sauce – some are spicier, while others are sweeter. Experimenting with various brands can take your southern barbeque spaghetti up a notch.

Remember: don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and substitutions. Cooking is about creating dishes that suit your palate and satisfy your cravings!

Serving and Pairing

This spaghetti sauce is so good, it'll have you coming back for seconds and thirds. — This spaghetti sauce is so good, it’ll have you coming back for seconds and thirds.

If you’re looking for a comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy and delight, this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce is exactly what you need. This hearty, flavorful sauce is versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes to make for a complete and delicious meal.

For a classic combination, spaghetti is the perfect pairing for this sauce. The spaghetti noodles absorb the sweet and smoky flavors of the BBQ sauce, elevating the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. Serve with fresh garlic bread to soak up every last bit of sauce.

If you’re in the mood for something different, try serving the sauce over rice, mashed potatoes or even baked sweet potatoes for a unique twist.

This recipe also makes a fantastic topping for sandwiches, specifically pulled pork or pulled chicken. The flavors blend together perfectly in this Southern-style BBQ sauce making it an excellent choice for sandwiches or wraps.

To round out your meal, consider serving it alongside classic Southern sides like coleslaw, potato salad or collard greens. The sweet and tangy flavors of the sauce complement these traditional dishes perfectly.

No matter how you choose to serve this mouth-watering Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce recipe, one thing is certain: it is bound to be a hit at your next family gathering or dinner party.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

Set it and forget it! Let your crock pot work its magic while you focus on the important things, like enjoying a good meal.

If you’re looking for a meal that’s easy to prepare ahead of time, this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe is perfect. Once the sauce is cooked and cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you plan on storing it longer than that, consider freezing it instead.

To reheat your sauce, simply transfer it from its storage container into a pan and heat it on medium heat until it’s heated through. If you’re pressed for time, you can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

If you decide to make your sauce ahead of time, be sure to let it cool down completely before storing. You don’t want any residual heat causing condensation, which could allow bacteria to grow in your sauce.

Finally, if you’re looking for ways to use up leftover sauce or have some on hand for when the cravings strike, try freezing it in portions suitable for future spaghetti meals. It works great as a topping for spaghetti noodles, or as a base for a variety of pasta dishes.

Overall, this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe is ideal for those who like to pre-plan their meals and prefer to cook in larger quantities – just remember to give the sauce enough time to cool down before storing!

Tips for Perfect Results

Impress your family and friends with this delicious and unique take on spaghetti sauce.

Before you start cooking, here are some tips to achieve the best results with my Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe:

1. Browning the meat: For a richer flavor, I recommend browning your lean ground turkey in a separate pan before adding it to the crockpot. This will give your meat a deeper color and help extract the flavors from the spices.

2. Building layers of flavor: To create harmony between the ingredients, add them to the crockpot in stages. First, put in onions, garlic cloves, green pepper, and fresh mushrooms to begin building that flavor foundation. Then add your browned ground turkey and mix well with the already cooked vegetables. Finally, add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste on top. This will ensure each layer is cooked thoroughly and contribute to an overall depth of flavor.

3. Stirring: For even cooking of all ingredients, stir occasionally especially during the first hour of cooking. This avoids burning the food at the bottom of the crockpot while waiting for everything on top to cook through.

4. Spice level: Adjust your spice level according to your preference by adding red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier taste or less chili powder if you want it less spicy. You don’t have to stick exactly to the recipe because cooking is a form of self-expression and an extension of yourself.

5. The slow cooker size: Make sure you use a large enough slow cooker for all of the ingredients even when doubled or tripled so that everything has ample space to cook evenly without overflowing.

6. The final touch: After cooking for 6-8 hours on low heat, add one cup of BBQ sauce and stir well before serving over spaghetti noodles or use as a base for spaghetti casserole recipes. I assure you this sauce will leave an impression in your mouth that you won’t forget.

Follow these tips and you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with my Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce. Bon appétit!

FAQ

As with any recipe, there may be questions that come up during your cooking process. That’s why I’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions to help troubleshoot any issues or concerns you may have while making this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe. Read on for answers to some common inquiries and concerns that you might experience along the way.

How do you keep BBQ sauce from burning in a crock pot?

One of my top tips for cooking southern-style BBQ in a crock pot is to regularly check to make sure there is enough liquid in the pot. It’s important to keep an eye on it every hour or so, as the sauce can burn quickly if it cooks on low without enough liquid. If you catch a whiff of burnt sauce or notice that there’s no more liquid left, simply add a bit of water or chicken stock to the pot to keep things moist and flavorful. This small but crucial step will ensure that your BBQ comes out perfectly cooked and delicious.

How do you make Paula Deen’s spaghetti sauce?

For this delectable southern-style dish, we will need a tablespoon of Italian seasoning, a can of stewed tomatoes sized at 14 and a half ounces, an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce, two cans of tomato paste, each weighing 6 ounces, a clove of finely chopped garlic, and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. To give it a pop of color and a little crunch, we will also use a chopped green bell pepper and a large chopped onion.

Why do you put brown sugar in spaghetti sauce?

If you’re preparing your own spaghetti sauce, I strongly advise against skipping the brown sugar. A touch of sugar is necessary in order to counteract the natural acidity of the tomatoes and ensure that your sauce is well-balanced. If you’re looking to add a little bit of heat to your sauce, consider throwing in some red pepper flakes as well.

How do you thicken BBQ sauce in a crock pot?

To add thickness to your BBQ sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water in a small prep bowl until it becomes smooth. Then, pour the cornstarch mixture into the BBQ sauce pot and start whisking until it is well blended. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens slightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, repeat the process of adding cornstarch until desired consistency is achieved.

How do you make homemade spaghetti sauce taste better?

Adding a touch of freshness to your pasta sauce with some strips of basil, a sprig of thyme, or some oregano can certainly elevate the flavors. Don’t fret if you don’t have fresh herbs available, dried herbs and spices are just as good. Adding a sprinkling of red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley, and a dash of salt and pepper can also enhance the taste of your store-bought pasta sauce.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe is the embodiment of southern comfort food, and it’s perfect for any dinner occasion. Whether you want to host a family gathering or impress your date with a hearty and delicious meal, this recipe is sure to please everyone.

With its blend of savory and sweet flavors, you can enjoy the taste of southern barbecue in every bite. The combination of Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cumin powder, chili powder, and tomato paste makes it an irresistible dish that will leave you feeling warm and satisfied.

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can substitute lean ground turkey or even ground beef for pulled pork and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. It’s also perfect for those who are looking for healthy and nutritious alternatives without compromising the taste.

Overall, this recipe is foolproof and easy to make, thanks to the use of a slow cooker or crockpot. It allows you to free up your hands while still enjoying a wholesome meal with your loved ones.

So why not give it a try? With a little effort and imagination, you can transform this Crock Pot Southern BBQ Spaghetti Sauce Recipe into something truly special that will have you craving more. Trust me; once you try it out for yourself, you’ll be hooked!

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