Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs

This recipe is actually a sub recipe but I used it as spaghetti and meatballs.  I got this recipe out of the food network magazine this month.  It was really good.  I halved the meatball recipe and cooked the meatballs and sausage in the oven at 400 for about 10 minutes to get off some of the grease.  I also added about 3 tbsp of sugar to the sauce.  I wouldn't spend the money on the real parmesan cheese next time.  I would just use the grated from a can.

Ingredients

• 2 28 -ounce cans whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 1 6 -ounce can tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces), plus 1 small piece parmesan rind
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet and/or hot Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 loaves Italian bread, cut into 3-inch pieces and split open
• Shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping

Directions

Combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves and parmesan rind in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 cup water, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a medium bowl; soak 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the beef, eggs, 1 cup parmesan, the remaining 1/4 cup parsley and 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the breadcrumb-milk mixture and mix with your hands until combined. With damp hands, shape into 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each; transfer to the slow cooker.
Add the sausage pieces to the slow cooker, then cover and cook on low, 7 hours. Remove the bay leaves and parmesan rind and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on the bread and top with mozzarella.
Photograph by Christopher Testani