Paula Deen's Spaghetti and Meatballs for the Slow-Cooker - a Review!

My oldest son is a very picky eater. For years his father and I tried to get him to try new foods and it was not until a couple of years ago that he first came to try Spaghetti. At that time I was not very elaborate with my meals. When it came to cooking Spaghetti, I went simple with noodles, Ragu for sauce, and hamburger meat. Even though my son loved the spaghetti, I could never get him to eat the meet. Until I become a full time homemaker.

With extra time on my hands, I decide to attempt new recipes. So, while shopping at Wal-Mart one day I picked up a Special Collecotor's Issue of Paula Deen's Quick and Easy Meals. Within the magazine I found a slow cooker recipe for spaghetti and meatballs.

On a whim I decided to make this my first recipe attempt and headed off to the store with my shopping list in hand. That night at dinner we had Paula Deen's spaghetti and meatballs and it was possibly the best spaghetti I have ever tasted.

Gone was the prepared meal and in its place was a meal made from scratch. The best part of the meal was my son actually ate the meatballs. Every since I made this recipe, my son has actually ATE hamburg meat.

This particular recipe has a way of inviting the senses to wanting to devour it but words can not describe the taste of Paula Deen's spaghetti and meatballs recipe.

Instead, why not try making it yourself and be your own judge.

You will need:

1 pound of ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt, divided
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with Basil
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
Hot cooked spaghetti noodles.

On my first attempt at this recipe I did not have any sugar - it did not effect the taste of the recipe. I have also made it with a can of crush tomatoes only and it still tasted great.

With all ingredients in hand it is time to prepare your meal.

1) Take a medium bowl and combine the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, ¼ teaspoon salt, and garlic powder. Once combined, form the mixture into meatballs about 1-2 inches.

2) Combine the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt into your slow quart. I just toss everything in and than stir it all together. When it is combined, place your meatballs into the sauce - they do not have to go all the way down.

3) Cover with lid or aluminum foil and cook for 1 hour on high, than reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 3 more hours.

4) When the 3 hours is almost up beginning cooking your noodles. Once the noodles are done, place them on a plate and put some sauce and meatballs on top of it.

We like to have garlic bread with our spaghetti. You can also toss in a salad and maybe some dessert for a nice home cooked meal. However you like your spaghetti, I can honestly say since the first time I made this recipe, my family and I were in love. Paula Deen's spaghetti and meatballs recipe is now the only spaghetti we eat in our house.