Groundhog Day

Six more weeks of winter. Or at least that's what Punxatawny Phil says. My family has a tradition every Groundhog Day we watch the movie "Groundhog Day" I worked until 6, so David was in charge of dinner, and when I got home, we ate as a family. Not at the table, but we ate together and watched the movie.
David made spaghetti and meatballs, with salad and bread sticks for him and the kids. I had spaghetti squash with meatballs and sauce. I did give him the choice of what he wanted to make, so I knew to make myself some spaghetti squash. Otherwise I would have been a pasta induced coma during the movie.

This recipe came from Paleo Slow Cooking Gluten Free Recipes Made Simple. Slow cooker recipe to make busy days easier. Or at least so you have one less thing to stress about. You can pair it with spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, sauteed spinach or serve it over regular spaghetti noodles.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Serves: 4-6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 C carrots, chopped (about 2-3 small carrots)
1 C yellow onion, chopped (about 1/2 onion)
1 C zucchini, chopped (about 2-3 small zucchini)
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 C mushrooms, sliced
1 pound grass-fed ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
28 ounces organic crushed tomatoes
28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes with juice
2 large cloves of garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp dried oregano
4 Tbsp fresh oregano
1 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp fresh basil
1 Tbsp garlic pepper

1. Place olive oil into the bottom of the slow cooker, and turn the slow cooker on low.
2. Chop the carrots, onion, zucchini, and bell pepper into 3/4 inch pieces. Add the vegetables to the slow cooker.
3. Slice the mushrooms, and place them in the slow cooker.
4. In a large skillet, brown the beef and pork on medium-low heat so that there is just a hint of pink left. Watch carefully to avoid over-cooking. Add the partially cooked beef and sausage to the slow cooker.
5. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, and give it a few stirs.
6. Cover, and cook on low for four to six hours.

You can substitute cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the beef and pork to add a different twist.
This can also be prepared on the stove top. To do so, saute' the vegetables in a large pot until tender, Brown the beef and pork in a separate pan until they are no longer pink, and add them to the pot of vegetables. Add the remaining ingredients, bring it to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes.
You can omit, substitute, or add any of the ingredients, so it is very versatile.

Enjoy