Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
121 CommentsUpdated Jan 31, 2026
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Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce is a hearty blend of beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, slow-simmered to perfection. This flavorful meat sauce pairs beautifully with any type of pasta for a satisfying, homemade meal.
Featured Comment
“My all time favourite spaghetti sauce!! The splash of wine gives it a nice edge.”
– Kevin
When it comes to pasta sauce, your first thought might be to grab a few jars from the grocery store. While that’s certainly convenient, you can just as easily whip up a delicious, homemade sauce right in your own kitchen and also have plenty of leftovers. This is my mom’s recipe that I’ve adapted for the slow cooker. I think you’ll love it!
Recipe Ingredients
Ground Beef – Cooked and drained for a hearty base.
Canned Tomatoes – Crushed, diced (undrained), and tomato paste for rich texture and flavor.
Onion & Garlic – Diced onion and fresh minced garlic for depth and aroma.
Seasonings – A blend of brown sugar, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
How to Make Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
- Cook the beef in a pan, then remove any excess grease.
- Combine all the ingredients in the Crockpot.
- Set the lid on and let simmer away. Remember, the longer this cooks, the better it gets.
Tips & Variations
- Meat Swaps: You can substitute one pound of Italian Sausage for the ground beef in this recipe. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken or 2 lbs of frozen meatballs.
- Adding 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).
- Veggies: Add additional vegetables such as diced carrots, celery, or mushrooms.
How to Serve:
Here is how I serve this spaghetti sauce from the slow cooker to my family and guests:
- Spoon this homemade spaghetti sauce over your favorite noodles—such as spaghetti, angel hair, or bucatini. Try zucchini noodles if you’re keeping it low-carb.
- You can also use this sauce for lasagna or try it in a ravioli lasagna for a fun and different twist.
- Serve it up with garlic bread, breadsticks, or any crusty bread you love to round out the meal.
- Reader Suggestion: Stir in some butter just before serving.
How to Store Extra Spaghetti Sauce:
Place extras in the fridge for up to four days. Or for more extended storage, spoon into small portions and freeze for up to three months. Great for last-minute budget meals.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
How to Video
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
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.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More pasta night recipes:
Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs and Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti are classic family favorites—one a saucy, hands-off dinner and the other a cheesy, layered casserole made right in the slow cooker.
Cincinnati Chili and Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce are hearty meat sauces perfect for serving over spaghetti when you’re craving something rich and satisfying.
If you want something fun and easy, try Ravioli Lasagna. For a family style meal, try my slow cooker chicken spaghetti.
Can I use 1 can of tomato sauce instead of two cans of diced tomatoes?
You probably can without issue.
What size can of tomato sauce?
I would do the same amount of ounces you are substituting for (which may be more than one can).
YUM MY SON LOVES SPEGHETTI 24/7
Fantastic Recipe ! This is our new to go pasta sauce.
The additional secret ingredients to add are a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Trust me !!
You can also use Ground Turkey instead of Ground Beef. In addition, if you want to save time you can buy minced garlic in a container and use a teaspoon.
Delicious! Crock pot sauce, I use fresh tomatoes and added yellow, red and orange peppers and mushrooms. I also added a bit more pepper flakes, love spicy hot food. This is our weekly go-to working from home.
This is my go to spaghetti sauce, I quadruple the recipe and split it up in 16 oz containers and freeze them. My household LOVES the taste of this sauce and we will never go back to store bought again! Thanks for such a great recipe!! I would give it 10 stars if I could!
Have you stopped by to read the ingredients and amounts on the storebought sauces? The sodium alone (Salt) will choke an entire herd of wild horses! I’ve been looking for a great low sodium sauce to make at home. and this looks like it. Stillneed to watch the sodium content of anything canned, and I will probably revert to fresh from the garden instead. But still, this is a great recipe to start. Thank you.
This is a great sauce I added more garlic it makes the house smell yummy
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of the canned diced ones? (and maybe add a little water?)
You can, some say you need to drop the tomatoes in hot water and remove the skins first.
Like the recipe easy to mskr
I cannot wait to try… have you ever added green peppers and mushrooms? If so i would tjink you would add yhe green peppers in the beginning along woth the onion. When would you add the mushrooms? Thanks
Hi! I would add them both at the beginning. Sounds like a great idea.
I work long hours and need to turn to use my crockpot more. Thank you for this recipe, can I be added to your email I really want to learn more healthy and tasty recipes for days that I work.