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    Home » Main Dish

    Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

    Published: May 10, 2020 - Last updated: February 9, 2023 by Erika

    slow cooker spaghetti sauce thumbnail picture.
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    slow cooker spaghetti sauce pin.

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    Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce is a delicious and convenient meal that is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to enjoy a comforting meal with minimal effort. The sauce is made by combining a variety of ingredients in a slow cooker and cooking it on low heat for several hours. During this time, the flavors meld together to create a rich and delicious sauce that is perfect for serving over spaghetti noodles.

    close up view of spaghetti on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • More Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

    Check out my Slow Cooker Chicken Stew and my Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Stock for more delicious slow cooker recipes.

    To make the spaghetti sauce in a slow cooker, simply place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, stir to combine, cover, and let cook. When it's done, simply serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired. With this recipe, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

    It's a hearty and filling meal that the whole family will love.

    spaghetti on a plate.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Convenience. Making spaghetti sauce in a slow cooker is incredibly convenient, as you simply add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker, cover, and let it cook for several hours without any additional attention required. This makes it an ideal meal for busy weeknights or when you want to enjoy a comforting meal with minimal effort.
    • Flavor. The slow cooking process allows the flavors of the ingredients to meld together and intensify, resulting in a rich and delicious sauce.
    • Heartiness. The addition of ground beef to the sauce makes it a hearty and filling meal that will satisfy even the hungriest of eaters.
    • Versatility. This spaghetti sauce can be served over spaghetti noodles, but it can also be used as a base for other dishes, such as lasagna, pizza, or baked ziti.
    • Feeds a crowd. This recipe makes a large amount of spaghetti sauce, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or for leftovers. You can easily double or triple the recipe if needed.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    slow cooker spaghetti sauce labeled ingredients.
    • Olive Oil: Used to sauté the Garlic, Onion & Green Pepper, which creates a flavorful base for the sauce.
    • Lean Ground Beef: Added to the pan and browned until fully cooked, then it is drained of any excess fat.
    • Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste: Added to the slow cooker along with the sautéed vegetables and browned ground beef.
    • Salt, Garlic Powder, Dried Basil, Dried Oregano, Italian Seasoning, Worcestershire Sauce & Ground Black Pepper: Added to the sauce to add depth of flavor and season the sauce to perfection.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    four image process making slow cooker spaghetti sauce.

    Step 1:

    Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, green pepper, and ground beef to the skillet and cook until the ground beef is thoroughly cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.

    Step 2:

    Transfer the meat to the slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, all seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

    Step 3:

    Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the sauce is thick and fragrant.

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    plate of spaghetti in front of the Crock Pot.

    Expert Tips

    • Sauté the aromatics. Sautéing the garlic, onion, and green pepper in olive oil before adding it to the slow cooker creates a deeper flavor and provides a foundation for the sauce.
    • Brown the ground beef. Browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker is important as it removes excess fat and intensifies the flavor. Make sure to drain the excess fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
    • Use high-quality canned tomatoes. Using high-quality canned tomatoes, such as San Marzano, will ensure that your sauce has the best flavor possible.
    • Season to taste. The recipe calls for specific seasonings, but you can adjust them to suit your taste. Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat, or extra basil for a brighter flavor.
    • Experiment with proteins. This recipe calls for ground beef, but you can also use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

    Variations

    • Vegetarian: To make a vegetarian version of this spaghetti sauce, simply omit the ground beef and add extra vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant.
    • Spicy: If you like your spaghetti sauce with a little heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
    • Wine-based: To add a deeper, richer flavor to the sauce, try adding a splash of red wine when sautéing the vegetables.
    • Herby: For a brighter, fresher flavor, try adding extra basil or thyme to the sauce.
    • Creamy: To make a creamy spaghetti sauce, try adding a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese to the sauce before serving.

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Store the spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

    Freezing: If you have a large batch of spaghetti sauce, you can freeze it for later use. Let the sauce cool completely. Spaghetti sauce can be frozen for up to 6 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.

    Thawing: It is best to thaw frozen spaghetti sauce in the refrigerator overnight. You can also place the container in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thaw. Once thawed, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

    Recipe FAQ's

    Can I make this recipe in a pressure cooker?

    Yes, you can make this recipe in a pressure cooker. Simply sauté the vegetables and brown the ground beef in the pressure cooker, then add the remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for 10-15 minutes.

    Can I make this recipe vegan?

    Yes, you can make this recipe vegan by using a plant-based protein, such as tofu or tempeh, instead of ground beef and by leaving out the Worcestershire sauce.

    How do I make the sauce thicker?

    To make the sauce thicker, you can add more tomato paste or let it cook for longer in the slow cooker. You can also use a potato masher to crush some of the tomatoes to create a thicker consistency.

    Click here to download my FREE kitchen cheat sheets.

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    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.

    slow cooker spaghetti sauce thumbnail picture.

    Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

    Erika
    Slow cooker spaghetti sauce is a delicious and convenient meal that is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to enjoy a comforting meal with minimal effort. The sauce is made by combining a variety of ingredients in a slow cooker and cooking it on low heat for several hours. During this time, the flavors meld together to create a rich and delicious sauce that is perfect for serving over spaghetti noodles.
    4.91 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 8 hrs
    Total Time 8 hrs 15 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 124 kcal

    Equipment

    • Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Ceramic Non-Stick Covered Frypan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic diced
    • 1 yellow onion diced
    • 1 green bell pepper seeds removed and diced
    • 1 pound 93/7 lean ground beef
    • 56 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
    • 16 ounces tomato sauce
    • 6 ounces tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried pregano
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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    Instructions
     

    • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, green pepper, and ground beef to the skillet and cook until the ground beef is thoroughly cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat. 
    • Transfer the meat to the slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, all seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
    • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the sauce is thick and fragrant.

    Notes

    • Sauté the aromatics. Sautéing the garlic, onion, and green pepper in olive oil before adding it to the slow cooker creates a deeper flavor and provides a foundation for the sauce.
    • Brown the ground beef. Browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker is important as it removes excess fat and intensifies the flavor. Make sure to drain the excess fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
    • Use high-quality canned tomatoes. Using high-quality canned tomatoes, such as San Marzano, will ensure that your sauce has the best flavor possible.
    • Season to taste. The recipe calls for specific seasonings, but you can adjust them to suit your taste. Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat, or extra basil for a brighter flavor.
    • Experiment with proteins. This recipe calls for ground beef, but you can also use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
    • Storing: Store the spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
    • Freezing: If you have a large batch of spaghetti sauce, you can freeze it for later use. Let the sauce cool completely. Spaghetti sauce can be frozen for up to 6 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
    • Thawing: It is best to thaw frozen spaghetti sauce in the refrigerator overnight. You can also place the container in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thaw. Once thawed, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 590mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keyword hearty spaghetti sauce, slow cooker spaghetti sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea Metlika

      May 11, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      I really like how easy this is to make. I can only imagine how wonderful this smells simmering all day. My family is going to love this sauce.

      Reply
    2. Nicole Tingwall

      May 11, 2020 at 2:59 pm

      I love that you adapted this classic recipe for the slow cooker! Perfect for busy days with my little one! Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    3. Cindy

      May 11, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      We have been doing so much cooking during quarantine. We have been involving the kids in the process. They help us pick recipes, and make them. They have been loving trying new foods and new ways to make foods! Slowcooker recipes are a mom's friend for sure! I was excited when the kids selected this to make! We made it and LOVED it. The kids are starting to value the slowcooker as well! Life skills, right? 🙂 Yumm!

      Reply
    4. Angela

      May 11, 2020 at 4:00 pm

      I bet this smells heavenly while is it cooking away. I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    5. Jessica Formicola

      May 11, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      You just can't beat homemade sauce, and it's even better that it's made in the slow cooker! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    6. Cathleen

      May 13, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      I love a good slow cooker recipe. I have been eating a lot of pasta lately, so I am definitely giving this a go!!

      Reply
    7. Heidy

      May 13, 2020 at 9:51 pm

      This Slow cooker hearty spaghetti sauce sure does look hearty with all those yummy chunks of tomatoes and veggies in it. I bet it would be great over penne pasta or another chunky-style pasta. I will have to give this a try sometime in the near future when we have pasta. Looks great.

      Reply
    8. Christie Gagnon

      May 13, 2020 at 10:15 pm

      So much great flavor in this recipe!

      Reply
    9. Krissy Allori

      May 13, 2020 at 10:43 pm

      I've never made my own spaghetti sauce. I always thought it would be too much work. But this recipe looks so easy and I love that I can use my crockpot for it. I'm going to give it a go. Thank you!

      Reply

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    Hi and welcome! My name is Erika and I’m a huge foodie with an appetite for almost anything. I love all foods, especially desserts! I try to cook things that are simple, practical, and delicious. Read More…

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