Italian Meatsauce & Garlic Bread

I am a sucker for pasta dishes.  And I'm even more of a sucker for easy cooking.  BUT it has to be YUMMY pasta dishes and YUMMY easy cooking.  We want flavor and spice and everything nice!  This meal meets all of those requirements.  The spaghetti sauce is simple to prepare in the morning, and will be ready in the crock pot at dinner time.  The garlic bread can be created at the last minute and is scrumptious. 

what is your favorite slow cooker recipe?  Please share in the comments section...I'm always looking for new recipes!

Italian Spaghetti Sauce

(I stole this from my cousin Laura, who adapted it from a Betty Crocker Slow Cooker recipe)

2 pounds Italian sausage or ground beef
3 medium onions, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms (yuck…I omitted this)
1 Bell Pepper, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (29 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (12 oz.) tomato paste
2 Tbs. dried basil
1 Tbs. dried oregano
1 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. Salt
½ tsp each of pepper & crushed red pepper

Cook the meat, onions, mushrooms and garlic for 20 minutes until cooked through. Drain. Spoon into slow cooker and stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours until veggies are tender.

 
Garlic Bread
 
French or Italian loaf, sliced in half
Olive Oil
1 stick butter (may need less depending on size of loaf), melted
¼ tsp. Garlic Salt (mixed with butter)
Garlic, pressed ~ the more the merrier!
Oregano
Thyme
Basil

Spread a bit of olive oil on the bread, then spread the butter/garlic salt mixture (be generous!). Then add pressed garlic, spreading all over the bread. Sprinkle the spices on. Bake at 400° for about 15 minutes, until brown. Slice and Enjoy!