Somali Style Slow Cooker Pasta Sauce

This pasta sauce is easy to make when you know you might not have time later, not to mention delicious. Add everything to the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for about 8 hours, or high heat for about 4 hrs. Please follow the direction for your slower cooker, it is that simple! If you want to take it to the next level, saute the ground beef with some of the spice, then the vegetables. You can use gluten-free pasta or regular pasta and following the box direction, and you have yourself a delicious hot meal.
Ingredients
Most Somali dishes call for cumin, but I’m not adding cumin this time.
1 tsp dry basil
1 tsp Salt to taste
1 tsp white or ground black pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp dry rosemary
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp ground lemon pepper
Mix all the spices and set aside
1/4 cup+1Tablespoon olive oil
1 LB ground beef
3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp garlic cloves, peeled and minced
24 oz jar of tomato sauce/pasta sauce
1 cup water (optional)
Directions
In a skillet, heat 1/4 cup oil, then add about one teaspoon of the spice mixture, the garlic, and the ground beef. Sauté them together for about 5 minutes.
Then transfer the ground beef into the slow cooker and put the skillet back on the stove.
Now sauté the onions, carrots, potatoes, one tablespoon of olive oil, and about one teaspoon of the mixed spices, and cook them together for a few minutes.
Add the veggies into the slow cooker, add the tomato sauce, a cup of water, and add the rest of the spices.
Stir them all, put the lid on, and let it cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hrs. Stir them occasionally.
Taste the sauce, and add more salt, black pepper, or any other spice you think it needs. Also, you can add more water if it is too thick.
Make your favorite pasta and follow the direction on the box.
Enjoy!
Categories: dinner, gluten free, main dishes, Somali Food