Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce Core
Infuse your pasta night with rich, slow-cooked flavor using this Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce Core recipe! Featuring a base of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste enhanced with the aromatic blend of sautéed onions, garlic, and Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley, this sauce is simplicity at its best. Optional additions like savory ground beef or zesty Italian sausage make it easily customizable, while a dash of red pepper flakes adds the perfect touch of heat for spice lovers. With a set-it-and-forget-it approach, this crock pot recipe creates a velvety sauce bursting with depth after simmering for 6–8 hours. Perfectly balanced with just a hint of sweetness, it’s the ideal topping for your favorite pasta dishes or a flavorful base for lasagna, baked ziti, and beyond. Garnish with fresh basil for a restaurant-worthy finish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
If using ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
Transfer the sautéed onions, garlic, and cooked meat (if using) to the crock pot.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water to the crock pot. Stir well to combine.
Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to low heat. Let the sauce cook for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
Taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot over your favorite pasta or use it as a base for other Italian dishes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
247 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.2 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.9 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 575 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.2 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.9 g | ||
| Protein | 14.4 g | 29% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 55 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 812 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
