As we’re wrapping our heads around Pierce’s new school routine and transitioning into colder days I’m thinking a lot about meal planning and getting some new, delicious and family-friendly meals for my home and to share with you! 

Fraîche Table is my go-to for great recipes I know my family will love. Tori is the expert on all things nutritious and delicious! Especially this time of year, anything in the slow cooker is my jam and whatever healthy ingredients I can sneak in there makes it even better. Pierce has just started to like spaghetti and Gam’s meatballs (plant-based!). Pretty sure there’s a growth spurt happening as he’s been eating like crazy lately. Recipes in the slow cooker seem to really fill him up and keep him full so he even sleeps better – win win!

There’s nothing better than throwing the slow cooker on in the morning and walking in the door at dinner time to a delicious smelling house. All you need to do is add to the noodles and voila dinner is ready!! Mom on the go, #1 tip right there… Anything that makes dinner during the week easier I’m here for. And with the slow cooker, there’s always leftovers!! 

One of our regular dinners is Slow Cooker Sneaky Mommy Spaghetti Sauce from Fraîche Table. Two hot tips before you start: 1. Grate your veggies extra fine side using a box grater to hide them best. 2. Add the rind of your parmesan into the sauce while it cooks for extra flavour.

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs ground (beef, chicken, turkey or veggie ground)

2 yellow onion(s), diced

6 carrot(s), peeled & grated

2 zucchini(s), grated

4 garlic clove(s), minced

2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

2 – 156 mL can(s) tomato paste

2 – 796 mL can(s) crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup parmesan, grated, divided

1 tablespoon Worcestershire

Pinch of sugar (optional)

400 g spaghetti noodles

1/4 cup basil, roughly chopped

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat a large pan over medium high heat. Add the ground and cook 5-6 minutes until almost cooked through. Add the yellow onion and cook until soft and translucent, around 4-5 minutes. Transfer to the crockpot. 

2.Squeeze the excess water out of the zucchini. To the crockpot with the onions and ground, add the carrots, zucchini, garlic, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, half the parmesan and Worcestershire. Cook on high 2-3 hours or on low 5-6 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

3.Serve with pasta if desired, and a sprinkle of parm!

 

Plant-based Option

Use veggie ground, vegan parmesan, and vegetable stock. Omit the Worcestershire.

 

Gluten Free option

Use GF spaghetti noodles and ensure your stock and Worcestershire are GF.

The Fraîche Table Meal Plan takes the stress out of dinner time with Dietitian approved wholesome and delicious meal plans. There are so many resources including a kitchen and pantry guide, interactive grocery lists to save time, money, and food waste as well as options to customize your plan to suit the specifics of your family (if only everyone liked the same things!) 

In addition to recipes and meal planning support, once you subscribe to Fraîche Table, you get access to soooo many good resources and tips like: 

Family Meal Times: A Dietician’s Perspective 

Healthy Snack Ideas 

Tips for Managing Picky Eaters

Gut health 

Tori is offering my readers a discount to get started and get organized. Use the code NATALIE for a $99 annual plan. Honestly, give it a try, it’s such a game changer for busy households!

What are your favourite fall meals? Do you guys use the slow cooker or any other kitchen gadgets? Let me know so I can find some great recipes we can test out together!