Description
This Slow Cooker Venison Spaghetti Sauce is a hearty, flavorful twist on traditional spaghetti sauce using lean ground venison. Packed with vegetables and simmered to perfection in a slow cooker, it’s perfect for a comforting family dinner served over spaghetti noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs. ground venison, 80/20 mix or 90/10
Vegetables
- ⅓ cup finely minced carrots
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Base
- 56 oz. crushed tomatoes (two 28-oz. cans)
- 20 oz. tomato sauce (two 10-oz. cans)
Seasonings
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. all purpose seasoning (such as seasoning salt)
- Salt and pepper to taste (add at the end)
Instructions
- Brown the Venison. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground venison until barely any pink remains. This step ensures the meat is partially cooked and helps develop flavor.
- Add to Slow Cooker. Transfer the browned venison along with minced carrots, diced onion, green bell pepper, celery, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and all purpose seasoning into the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Slow Cook the Sauce. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. This slow simmer allows flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Season to Taste. After cooking, taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed to adjust seasoning.
- Serve. Spoon the venison spaghetti sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles and serve alongside garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- For leaner sauce, use 90/10 venison to reduce fat content.
- You can add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the crushed tomatoes before adding.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Make sure to brown the venison well for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
