slow cooker meat sauce

1 pd. ground sirloin
2 links Italian Sausage (cut out of casings)... preferably hot, but mild works as well
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 28 oz can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrots
6 cloves of garlic (minced)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp oregano
2 dried bay leaves
salt and pepper to season

In a large skillet coated with olive oil, saute the garlic, onion, and carrots. Once tender, place then in a slow cooker. Then, in the same skillet, brown the ground sirloin and sausage. Drain the meat in a colander and then place it in the slow cooker. Add the 2 cans of tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper, about 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes, 1 tsp oregano, and 2 bay leaves. Stir well.

Set to cook on low for 8 hours. At about hour 7, stir in some fresh chopped oregano. Serve with pasta and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.