Name: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 500 min
Yield: 10
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; cooked noodles; parmesan cheese

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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 for drinking).

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

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

5 from 5 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:

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
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

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?