Description
This Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make sauce perfect for pasta dishes. With a blend of ground meat, tomatoes, herbs, and spices, this sauce is versatile and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds ground beef or Italian sausage
Sauce Base:
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water or red wine
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, sauté onion in olive oil until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Cook Meat: Add ground meat to skillet, cook until browned, then transfer to crockpot.
- Combine Ingredients: Add all sauce base ingredients and seasonings to crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Finish and Serve: Before serving, remove bay leaves and stir in parsley and Parmesan. Serve over cooked pasta.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and add mushrooms or lentils.
- Sauce freezes well—store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Simmering longer enhances flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
