Get ready to discover why the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce will instantly earn its spot in your meal rotation! Imagine coming home to the warm, inviting aroma of tomatoes and herbs, knowing a rich, meaty, and deeply flavorful sauce is waiting in your slow cooker. This is the kind of recipe that makes everyday dinners feel like a celebration, with tender ground beef or sausage, sweet onions, garlic, and just the right blend of Italian herbs. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a hungry crew, this sauce delivers all the comfort and nostalgia of Sunday dinner with barely any hands-on work. Let’s make memories around the table with this easy, satisfying classic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce has a role to play—aromas, depth, color, and, most importantly, flavor! While the ingredient list is straightforward, each item builds a savory, well-balanced sauce you’ll want to pour over everything.
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Helps the aromatics release their flavor and adds a silky texture to the sauce.
- Onion (1 medium, finely chopped): Lends subtle sweetness and a savory backbone to every bite.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Brings that irresistibly fragrant punch every Italian-inspired sauce needs.
- Ground Beef or Italian Sausage (1½ pounds): The heart of the sauce, providing hearty texture and rich, meaty flavor—mix both for the best of both worlds!
- Crushed Tomatoes (2 cans, 28 oz each): Make up the lush, tomatoey base, providing body and natural sweetness.
- Tomato Paste (1 can, 6 oz): Concentrates the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Tomato Sauce (1 can, 15 oz): Adds smoothness and rounds out the tomato elements for a silky finish.
- Sugar (1 tablespoon): Balances acidity, bringing the flavors together in harmony.
- Dried Oregano (1 tablespoon): Infuses the sauce with authentic Italian flair and earthy aroma.
- Dried Basil (1 teaspoon): Adds a bright, peppery-sweet note you can taste in every forkful.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the delicious flavors hidden in your crockpot.
- Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Offers a gentle kick and depth, not just heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): Perks up the sauce with a subtle heat—use as much or as little as you like!
- Bay Leaves (2): Steeped in the sauce as it simmers, they lend a deep, aromatic dimension without overpowering.
- Fresh Parsley (¼ cup, chopped) or Dried Parsley (1 tablespoon): Brings freshness and color, making the final sauce extra inviting.
How to Make Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Brown the Meat
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until it turns soft and translucent—this gentle cooking draws out all the natural sweetness. Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for another 30 seconds, just until you can smell its fragrant aroma. Add your ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix!), breaking it up as it cooks. Sauté until the meat is nicely browned; this builds rich flavor into the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce. Drain any excess grease to keep your sauce hearty but not oily.
Step 2: Combine in the Crockpot
Transfer the cooked meat, onions, and garlic directly to your 6-quart crockpot. This is where the magic happens! Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce, which lay the foundation for a lush, robust sauce. Sprinkle in the sugar, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a hint of heat. Finally, tuck in the bay leaves and sprinkle in the parsley. Stir everything together gently, making sure those herbs are evenly distributed and the sauce is beautifully combined for even cooking.
Step 3: Let It Simmer Low and Slow
Cover your crockpot and set it to cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, depending on your schedule. The long, slow simmer is why this is the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce—the flavors deepen, the meat becomes meltingly tender, and everything melds together into a sauce that tastes like you tended it all day. Give it a quick stir halfway through if you’re home, but it’s absolutely fine to let it go unattended.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Before serving, don’t forget to fish out the bay leaves—they’ve done their job flavoring the sauce. If you love a super-smooth texture, grab an immersion blender and give it a few pulses right in the crockpot. Otherwise, just taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then ladle your sauce over hot pasta or let it shine in your favorite Italian recipes!
How to Serve Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
Garnishes
A generous shower of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese is a must! For an extra pop of color and brightness, scatter on more chopped fresh parsley or a few torn basil leaves. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil just before serving gives the final plate a restaurant-worthy finish. The Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce loves to be dressed up!
Side Dishes
Pair your sauce-laden pasta with garlicky breadsticks or a classic Caesar salad for a meal that’s pure comfort, start to finish. Roasted veggies or a simple antipasto platter turn this into a true Italian feast. No matter what you choose, these sides soak up every last bit of that savory sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Use the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce for baked ziti, lasagna, or as a hearty filling in stuffed bell peppers. It’s also fantastic spooned over polenta or tucked into a toasted sub with melted mozzarella. Leftovers make quick work of weeknight dinners—just add a splash of broth, and you’ve got the base for a rustic Italian soup!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any extra sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. Stored in the fridge, the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce will keep for up to four days. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two, making leftovers something to look forward to!
Freezing
To freeze, ladle cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags (lay them flat for quick thawing). The Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce freezes beautifully for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to enjoy again. Freezer stash = effortless future meals!
Reheating
For refrigerator-stored sauce, reheat gently in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, thaw first before warming. Splash in a little water or broth if it’s thickened up—this brings the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce right back to its just-cooked glory.
FAQs
Can I make the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the meat and add in some sautéed mushrooms or cooked lentils. Both bring outstanding texture and flavor to the sauce, making it just as hearty and satisfying.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Yes, the Basic recipe for Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check store-bought ingredients (especially sausages) to be sure there are no sneaky additives, and serve with gluten-free pasta if needed.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken?
Definitely! Ground turkey or chicken are great lean options. They’ll make the sauce a bit lighter, but with all those tomatoes and Italian herbs, you’ll still get rich, comforting flavor every time.
Can I double this recipe in a standard-sized crockpot?
If you have a large 6- to 8-quart crockpot, you can double the ingredients to make a big batch of Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce—perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd. Just make sure not to overfill, and add a bit of extra time to the cooking process.
How can I make the sauce smoother?
If you like a velvety smooth sauce, use an immersion blender right in the crockpot before serving, or blend in batches in a blender (just be careful with hot liquids!). This gives the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce a wonderful restaurant-style texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving easy comfort food with big, bold flavors, this Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce will never let you down. It practically cooks itself while you go about your day—and always brings people back for seconds. Gather your favorite people, make a big batch, and watch everyone swoon!
Print
Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course, Sauce
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce recipe is a hearty and flavorful sauce that simmers to perfection in the slow cooker. Ideal for busy days, this homemade sauce is rich with Italian seasonings and can be customized to suit your taste.
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ pounds ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
Instructions
- In a large skillet, sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Cook meat: Add ground beef or sausage, cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Combine ingredients: Transfer meat to crockpot. Add remaining ingredients, stir well.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Serve: Remove bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- This sauce freezes well—cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender before serving.
- Can be made vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
