Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Transform your pasta nights with this hearty, flavor-packed Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce that delivers rich, authentic Italian flavors with minimal effort. This slow-cooked masterpiece combines browned ground beef and Italian sausage with a medley of aromatic spices, tangy tomatoes, and a hint of sweetness, all simmered to perfection for hours. The hands-off slow cooker method allows the flavors to deepen and meld, creating a robust sauce that's perfect for serving over spaghetti or using in lasagna, baked ziti, and more. Prep is quick and easy with just 15 minutes of effort before the slow cooker takes over, making it the ultimate time-saving recipe for busy households. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, and enjoy a pasta sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering in a Tuscan kitchen all day long. Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly, this versatile spaghetti sauce recipe is destined to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Add the ground beef and ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Transfer the cooked meat to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer, until fragrant.
Add the cooked onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
To the slow cooker, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, and sugar.
Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Add the bay leaves to the top of the sauce.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Optional: Sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish before serving.
Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles, or use as desired in your favorite pasta dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3352 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 250.6 g | 321% | |
| Saturated Fat | 84.0 g | 420% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 639 mg | 213% | |
| Sodium | 9333 mg | 406% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 124.6 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.0 g | 118% | |
| Total Sugars | 74.5 g | ||
| Protein | 168.0 g | 336% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 683 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 28.5 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 7507 mg | 160% | |
*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.
