Slow Cooker Meaty Pasta Sauce
Transform your pasta nights with this hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Meaty Pasta Sauce, a recipe that combines convenience with bold, homemade taste. Packed with ground beef, savory Italian sausage, and aromatic garlic and onions, this sauce builds layers of flavor as it slow-cooks to perfection. A rich tomato base featuring crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, enhanced with a blend of dried herbs and a hint of sweetness from sugar, creates a balanced, robust sauce that's ideal for any pasta dish. With just 15 minutes of prep and a hands-off slow-cooking process, it's the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Serve this versatile sauce over spaghetti, penne, or linguine, and top it off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of brightness. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or satisfying cravings, this meaty pasta sauce is a timeless crowd-pleaser.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 6 ounces canned tomato paste
- 0.5 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and Italian sausage.
Cook the meat, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the meaty pasta sauce over cooked pasta of your choice, such as spaghetti, penne, or linguine.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2209 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 154.4 g | 198% | |
| Saturated Fat | 55.3 g | 276% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 462 mg | 154% | |
| Sodium | 7294 mg | 317% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 96.2 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.2 g | 76% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.8 g | ||
| Protein | 126.3 g | 253% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 365 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 20.4 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 4691 mg | 100% | |
*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.
