Slumgullion in Slow Cooker 4 Ingredients. My grandfather was a believer in this 4 ingredient antidepressant of the era. Comforting unbelievably and will not drain the pockets to dine out to-night.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
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1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80-90% lean)
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1 large yellow onion, diced
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2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
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2 cups dry elbow macaroni
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1 teaspoon salt (cherry optional, to taste)
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper (Optional, to taste)
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1 cup water (as much as desired to achieve any desired consistency)
Slumgullion in Slow Cooker: Instructions
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Brown the beef – Place the ground beef in a large skillet and crumble it. Cook on medium heat till brown and no pink is left, approximately 8-10 minutes. Spoon off excess grease, leaving a little for flavor.
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Mellow the onion – Add the diced onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Stir frequently 3-5 minutes until the onion becomes soft and slightly colored.
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Prepare the slow cooker – Pour the beef and onion mixture into the slow cooker. Add the tomato sauce and mix everything. For a thinner consistency, add up to 1 cup of water.
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Season – Add salt and black pepper (optional) and mix. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Flavors will intensify while cooking.
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Slow cook the base – Spray the inside of the slow cooker and put in the mixture. Cook on LOW 4-5 hours or HIGH 2-3 hours for flavors to blend and onions to become tender.
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Add the macaroni – About 30-40 minutes before mealtime, add dry elbow macaroni. Push noodles into the sauce to absorb liquid and cook evenly. Add a few teaspoons of water if mixture is too thick.
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Final cooking – Cover and cook on HIGH 25-35 minutes, stirring halfway, until macaroni is tender but not mushy. The sauce should be thick, saucy, and bubbling.
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Serve – Stir everything, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Pour hot slumgullion into bowls directly from the slow cooker and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
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Keep the original 4-ingredient base: ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni.
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Salt, pepper, and water are optional additions.
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For picky eaters, finely chop or grate onions to melt into the sauce.
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Small pasta shapes like shells or rotini can replace elbow macaroni; adjust cooking time.
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Stretch the recipe by using less meat and more pasta/water for extra servings.
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For richer flavor, brown beef deeply and scrape browned bits into the slow cooker.
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Optional: sprinkle shredded cheese on top before serving.
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Leftover slumgullion can be reheated with a splash of water for a saucy, comforting meal.
Apple Cider Chicken in Slow Cooker