Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
A cozy and hearty spaghetti sauce that simmers all day in your slow cooker, perfect for busy nights when you want dinner to cook itself.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef or Italian sausage 1 to 1.5 pounds
- 1 Onion, chopped Or onion powder in a pinch
- 3 to 5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cans Crushed tomatoes 28 oz each
- 1 can Tomato sauce 15 oz
- 1 small can Tomato paste 6 oz
Seasonings
- 1 to 2 tsp Salt Plus more to taste later
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Dried basil Or more if you love basil
- 1 to 2 tsp Sugar Optional, helps with sharpness
- 2 pieces Bay leaves
- splash Worcestershire sauce For depth, optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Brown your meat in a skillet over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks. When it is no longer pink, drain off extra grease.
- Toss in the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until it softens a bit. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the meat mixture to the slow cooker.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir it around until the paste disappears into the sauce.
- Add seasoning, sugar if using, and bay leaves. Stir again.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Taste at the end and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs. Pull out the bay leaves before serving.
Notes
Browning the meat adds flavor and reduces greasiness. Adjust sweetness with sugar to taste and consider using an immersion blender for a smoother sauce texture if desired. This sauce can be sampled with spaghetti, penne, or on garlic bread.