A rich and flavorful spaghetti sauce inspired by traditional family recipes, perfect for a comforting meal.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
Draining excess fat from the cooked beef can make the sauce less greasy.
Chop the onion, bell pepper, and garlic finely.
Uniformly chopped vegetables ensure even cooking and a consistent texture.
Add the chopped vegetables to the skillet with the browned beef and sauté until softened.
Cooking the vegetables with the beef allows the flavors to meld together.
Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker.
Using a slow cooker ensures the sauce develops a deep, rich flavor.
Add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and grape jelly to the slow cooker. Stir well.
Mixing thoroughly ensures all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Set the slow cooker to low and let the sauce simmer for 6-8 hours.
The longer the sauce simmers, the more the flavors will develop.
Serve the sauce over cooked pasta and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Pairing the sauce with freshly cooked pasta enhances the dish's appeal.