Description
This Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce recipe is a hearty and flavorful Italian-American classic made effortlessly in a slow cooker. Combining browned ground beef and Italian sausage with a rich blend of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices, this sauce simmers to perfection over several hours, making it ideal for busy days and family dinners. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
Tomato Base
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
Seasonings and Extras
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ cup water or beef broth
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion for about 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until browned and crumbly, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned meat mixture to the slow cooker to prepare for the long simmering process.
- Add Tomato and Seasonings: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, optional red pepper flakes, bay leaves, chopped parsley, and water or beef broth into the slow cooker with the meat. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Cook the Sauce: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve the sauce hot over cooked spaghetti noodles or incorporate it into any pasta dish of your choice for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- This sauce freezes well for up to 3 months, making it a convenient make-ahead meal.
- For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce just before serving.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the meat and substitute with diced mushrooms or lentils for a hearty texture.
