Simply Sugarless: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

I think you're familiar with this recurring column by now, but just in case you're not: Simply Sugarless is a monthly sugar-free recipe column written by Starr Struck's own Sara Meeks. Take it away, Sara...

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Sugar is in everything. You know that, right?!? It’s pretty crazy. Today’s recipe is my attempt at circumnavigating the unneeded sugar in a typically pre-made + purchased dinner staple: spaghetti sauce.

Full disclosure: I’ve never tried making spaghetti sauce before. It’s been on my to-make list for years but somehow that little jar in my pantry was far too convenient and appealing. I’m learning with all of you this time around and I have to say, I’m a fan of this recipe. It’s not Ragu (my personal store-bought preference), but, honestly, I don’t miss it. You can really taste the carrots (and it is a bit orange in color), which I like and I think works well to replace the sweetness from sugar. Plus, I love that there are tons of veggies mixed right in so you know it’s so much healthier and nutrient-rich.

It wasn’t terribly time consuming--I promise--and I ended up with two normal-size jars worth of spaghetti sauce, so in total, it really only took ten minutes prep time per meal (I’ll freeze the second jar for future use).

I served my sauce mixed with ground turkey over whole wheat rigatoni noodles and sprinkled with parmesan. Let me just say, everyone in my house agreed that this sauce was super yummy!

Sugar-Free Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Cooking time: 20 minutes hands-on, 8 hours cooking (8 hours, 20 minutes total)
Yield: about six cups of sauce (enough for two meals at my house, with leftovers)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups carrots, chopped
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 oz) Italian-style tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

**Special note: make sure when picking out the canned tomato items listed above that you read the labels. They sneak sugar into other canned tomato products, as well. I know, I’m mad about it, too! The photo from my ingredient picture actually shows cans of sugar-included products before I realized the shopping mistake I had made and remedied the situation. Buyer beware!

Directions:

• In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrots and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Stir in bell pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• In 4- to 5-quart slow cooker, place vegetables and add remaining ingredients. Stir.
• Cover; cook on low heat setting 7 hours.
• Uncover; stir well. Increase heat setting to high; cook uncovered about 1 hour longer or until sauce is desired consistency.
• Placed cooked mixture in a blender or use immersion blender to puree. If you prefer chunky sauce, skip this step altogether.
  
  

{Created by modifying this recipe.} 

MEET SIMPLY SUGARLESS:

Each month, I’ll be scouring the internet and my own personal recipe box for simple, sugarfree recipes that you can make without a bunch of exotic (and expensive) ingredients. I’m not suggesting that all the recipes will be super healthy (we’re still talking about baked goods and sweets, people), but I promise the recipes highlighted will be *healthier* versions of delicious treats, yummy snacks, and long-time favorite eats.

My goal here is to completely avoid refined white sugar and/or any of the artificial sweeteners that are usually present in sugar-free recipes. I’m also going to try my very hardest not to use any super-sugary syrup substitutes like honey and agave  (although maple syrup and molasses might make a cameo every now and then because they have a few more beneficial qualities in the form of vitamins + minerals). 

And one final note: you’ll notice that the recipe is listed right at the top of this post. Does it drive anyone else crazy when you have to scroll down forever to reach the actual recipe on most websites? Hope this intentional formatting makes your life just a bit easier ;)

MEET SARA:

​My interest in finding sugarfree recipes stems from my quest to find healthier snack options for my sons (3.5 and 1.5 years).

As it turns out (spoiler alert!) sugar is in everything. I started substituting different ingredients for sugar and have realized that a lot of times I don’t miss it at all.

When I’m not dreaming up or testing new yummy recipes, I love spending my time with my husband and our boys, crafting, practicing yoga, reading, and taking photographs.

​If you’re interested in learning a little more about me, here’s the introduction Mary Catherine wrote up when I joined the Starr Stuck team and here’s my little one-photo-a-day blog that journals the daily adventures of living with little ones in Washington, D.C.
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Thanks so much for this recipe, Sara! Ben has been talking about wanting  to start making our own spaghetti sauce for years, so maybe this will finally motivate us to try it out, too... ;) 

​Enjoy, everyone!