Crockpot Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Introduction
This crockpot spaghetti meat sauce is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for busy days. Slow-cooked to develop rich flavors, it combines ground beef, Italian sausage, and a blend of seasonings for a classic Italian favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb 85/15 ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 jars pasta sauce (24 oz. each)
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat into smaller chunks as it cooks.
- Step 2: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes, until softened and fragrant, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Pour in the pasta sauce and crushed tomatoes, then add Italian seasoning, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well, cover, and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaf and serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use sweet or hot Italian sausage depending on your preferred spice level.
- For a thicker sauce, uncover the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra vegetables and flavor.
- Swap out the crushed tomatoes for diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
Storage
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This sauce also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I skip browning the meat?
Browning the meat first adds depth of flavor and better texture, but if you’re short on time, you can add raw meat directly to the crockpot. Just be sure to cook on HIGH for at least 4 hours to ensure it’s fully cooked.
What can I serve with this sauce besides spaghetti?
This sauce is versatile and pairs well with other types of pasta, like penne or rigatoni. You can also use it as a topping for polenta, baked potatoes, or even as a flavorful base for lasagna.
PrintCrockpot Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
This Crockpot Spaghetti Meat Sauce recipe is a hearty and flavorful slow-cooked sauce combining ground beef, Italian sausage, and a rich blend of tomatoes and seasonings. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, this sauce simmers gently in a slow cooker for hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it over your favorite spaghetti noodles and garnish with Parmesan and fresh herbs for a comforting Italian classic.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (slow cooker LOW) or 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker HIGH)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (LOW) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb 85/15 ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Tomato Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 jars pasta sauce (24 oz each)
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them up into smaller chunks as they cook. Continue browning until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned meat. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant. This step enhances the depth of flavor in the sauce.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked meat, onion, and garlic mixture to your slow cooker. Pour in the two jars of pasta sauce along with the crushed tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Slow Cook the Sauce: Cover the slow cooker and cook the sauce on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. This slow simmer allows the ingredients to meld and develop a rich, hearty taste.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the meat sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy a delicious and comforting Italian meal.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper or add red pepper flakes.
- Use leaner meats to reduce fat content, but the flavor may be less rich.
- Brown sugar balances acidity in the tomatoes; you can adjust or omit depending on taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- This sauce pairs well with other pasta types like penne or fettuccine.
Keywords: Crockpot spaghetti sauce, slow cooker meat sauce, Italian meat sauce, easy pasta sauce, ground beef spaghetti sauce, ground sausage pasta sauce
