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Home » Dinner » Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

by Sarah Olson on October 17, 2019 | Updated December 22, 2019 35 Comments

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collage of spaghetti sauce images for pinterest

Slow Cooker Spaghetti sauce is slow-cooked and full of vegetables and herbs; perfect over any shape of pasta.

We love pasta night at our house. When we aren’t making this classic spaghetti sauce in our crock pot, we have Pesto Mozzarella Chicken and pasta or Cajun Chicken Fettuccine.

Close up of cooked spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker.

How to make slow cooker spaghetti sauce:

You will need these ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 28 oz. diced tomatoes (two 14 oz. cans) do not drain
  • 6 oz. can tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • ½ cup diced white onion
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • pinch red pepper flakes

Directions:

  • Set a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown and crumble the beef. Drain the fat.
  • Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir
Ground beef, tomato paste, sugar, seasonings, tomatoes, onions and garlic in front of the slow cooker.

How long do I cook spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker?

  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
  • Stir and serve on desired noodles. I use bucatini noodles, they are a larger noodle with a hollow in the center and goes great with slow cooker spaghetti sauce.
Ingredients for spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker separated in sections.

How do I make a thick spaghetti sauce?

A small can of tomato paste is what I use thicken this spaghetti sauce. Do not forget to add it or you will have a watery sauce.

stirred uncooked spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker.

Can I use Italian sausage instead of ground beef?

  • You can substitute one pound of Italian Sausage for the ground beef in this recipe.
  • Cut the salt in half for the recipe in half if you use Italian sausage.

Can I add frozen meatballs instead of ground beef?

Use a 2 lb. bag of frozen meatballs if desired in place of the groung beef.

cooked spaghetti in a slow cooker with garlic bread and noodles on the side.

Can I add uncooked noodles into the sauce in the slow cooker?

DO NOT add uncooked noodles to the slow cooker. The slow cooker doesn’t get hot enough, fast enough to properly cook noodles. The noodles will turn out mushy.

close up of cooked meaty spaghetti sauce in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon in it.

Can I make this vegetarian?

  • Add soy crumbles to this recipe instead of ground beef if desired.
  • Or add chopped carrots, celery and mushrooms.
3 bowls of spaghetti with sauce on top.

Can I add red wine?

Add a half cup of red wine at the beginning of the recipe if you would like a red wine flavored sauce. I like to use red blend when I’m cooking (and for drinking).

close up of a bowl of spaghetti and sauce.

How should I serve Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce?

  • Pour over cooked noodles. Standard spaghetti, angel hair or bucatini.
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Green salad and dressing
  • Garlic bread
cooked spaghetti in a slow cooker with garlic bread and noodles on the side.

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

4.93 from 38 votes
Homemade spaghetti sauce slow cooked to perfection. Just pour over noodles when you arrive home.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 148kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 28 oz. diced tomatoes (two 14 oz. cans) do not drain
  • 6 oz. can tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

For serving:

  • cooked noodles
  • parmesan cheese
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • In a large skillet set to medium high heat, add the ground beef. Brown and crumble with a spatula or wooden spoon. Drain the fat.
  • Add the meat to the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Do no open the lid during the cooking time.
  • Serve with desired cooked noodles and top with parmesan cheese.

How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I use Italian Sausage instead of ground beef?
  • You can substitute one pound of Italian Sausage for the ground beef in this recipe.
  • Cut the salt in half for the recipe in half if you use Italian sausage.
Can I use frozen meatballs instead of ground beef?
Use a 2 lb. bag of frozen meatballs if desired in place of the ground beef.
Can I make this Vegetarian?
  • Add soy crumbles to this recipe instead of ground beef if desired.
  • Or add chopped carrots, celery and mushrooms.
Can I add red wine?
Add a half cup of red wine at the beginning of the recipe if you would like a red wine flavored sauce. I like to use red blend when I’m cooking (and drinking).
Can I add uncooked noodles to the slow cooker?
DO NOT add uncooked noodles to the slow cooker. The slow cooker doesn’t get hot enough, fast enough to properly cook noodles. The noodles will turn out mushy.
 

Nutrition:

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 511mg | Potassium: 723mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 531IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 4mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More pasta night recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti
  • Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce with Kielbasa
  • Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken and Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
  • Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazinni
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta
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    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner Tagged With: pasta sauce, spaghetti sauce

    Comments

    1. Beverly says

      January 16, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      I will be adding frozen meatballs instead of ground beef. When do I add them? Thanks

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 16, 2021 at 2:06 pm

        I would add them the last 2 hours.

        Reply
    2. Tanya says

      December 30, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      Can this sauce be used for lasagna?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 30, 2020 at 2:11 pm

        Yes, it will work very well.

        Reply
    3. Martyna Sprague says

      December 29, 2020 at 4:29 am

      Can I use 1 can of tomato sauce instead of two cans of diced tomatoes?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 29, 2020 at 8:12 am

        You probably can without issue.

        Reply
        • Sharon L Brewer says

          January 10, 2021 at 9:26 am

          What size can of tomato sauce?

          Reply
          • Sarah Olson says

            January 10, 2021 at 9:33 am

            I would do the same amount of ounces you are substituting for (which may be more than one can).

            Reply
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