Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauce
Transform weeknight dinners with this hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauce recipe, a set-it-and-forget-it classic that fills your kitchen with the tantalizing aroma of Italian comfort food. Featuring juicy Italian sausage (choose mild or spicy to suit your taste buds) simmered in a savory tomato-based sauce with garlic, onions, and a medley of dried herbs, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. The slow cooker effortlessly melds the flavors together, creating tender sausages and a rich sauce that's perfect for pairing with pasta, creamy polenta, or crusty bread. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. With just 15 minutes of prep and the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, this recipe is an easy, hands-off dinner option for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 links Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 large Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and sear them until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. You don’t need to cook them through. Transfer the sausages to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the sausages are fully cooked and tender, and the sauce is thickened.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt or pepper if desired.
Serve the sausages and sauce over cooked pasta, polenta, or alongside crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1806 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 138.3 g | 177% | |
| Saturated Fat | 40.4 g | 202% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 300 mg | 100% | |
| Sodium | 6490 mg | 282% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 69.0 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.6 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.2 g | ||
| Protein | 86.0 g | 172% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 362 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 14.3 mg | 79% | |
| Potassium | 3699 mg | 79% | |
*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.
