Semi Homemade Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this flavorful Semi Homemade Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce, a perfect balance of convenience and rich, homemade taste. Combining time-saving jarred marinara with the robust flavors of sautéed onions, garlic, and your choice of ground beef or Italian sausage, this slow-cooked sauce is elevated with tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and a medley of Italian herbs like basil and oregano. The low-and-slow cooking process in the crock pot allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a sauce that's bursting with depth and warmth. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this hearty spaghetti sauce is an effortless way to serve a crowd-pleasing meal. Ladle it over your favorite pasta, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy a comforting dish that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all day! Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or freezer-friendly leftovers, this recipe is a must-try for busy home cooks.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 32 ounces jarred marinara sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 large bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring regularly to avoid burning.
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until it is browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the bowl of your crock pot (slow cooker).
Add the jarred marinara sauce, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes (with their juices) into the crock pot.
Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Place the bay leaf on top.
Set the crock pot to low heat and cook for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the ingredients are fully combined and the flavors meld together.
About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.
Serve the spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
349 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.1 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.8 g | 34% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 808 mg | 35% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.0 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.4 g | ||
| Protein | 17.5 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 69 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 960 mg | 20% | |
*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.
