All-Day Crock Pot Meat Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, minced
• 12 red bell pepper, minced
• 12 cup red wine
• 14 cup water
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups diced tomatoes (drained if canned)
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (4 ounce) jar squash baby food or 1 (4 ounce) jar carrot baby food
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 12 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 12 teaspoon thyme
• 12 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat and add beef.
2. Cook the meat until browned, then transfer to a slow cooker.
3. Return the pan to the heat and add onion, celery and pepper.
4. Cook, stirring, 10 minutes, then stir in the red wine to deglaze the pan.
5. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker and add water, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, baby food, garlic, bay leaf, fennel seed, oregano, thyme, basil and parsley.
6. Set the cooker on LOW, cover and cook 8 hours.
7. Remove bay leaf.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
9. This can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen up to 6 months.

olive oil, extra lean ground beef, onion, stalks celery, red bell pepper, red wine, water, tomatoes, tomatoes, tomato paste, baby food, garlic, bay leaf, fennel seed, oregano, thyme, basil, parsley

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/all-day-crock-pot-meat-sauce-467337 (may not work)