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
Scale
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
