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.
I want to make this sauce but was give 2 cans of crushed tomatoes with my pick up order. Can I make the sauce with these and omit the diced tomatoes.
Yes that will work fine!
I make this all of the time. There’s only 2 of us but I love it because I freeze majority of it tor left overs. Super nummy. Super easy I use hamburger but I use 1/2 Italian sausage and 1/2 hamburger for my meatballs
Is the carb count with or without noodles?
LOVE this sauce!!! Didn’t realize how much it made. I froze what was left over and it was just as good. Will cut recipe in half next time.
How much pasta should I cook for this amount of sauce?
I’m thinking about 3/4- 1 pound.
Can I put the meatballs in the sauce raw?
yes, that will work fine.
Try it with purple cabbage instead of noodles. I love it.
I made this a few times now and the family loves it the only thing is for noodles I use Chinese noodles because they are so thin and I found once you boil the noodles for 3 min drain get sauce pan and butter and cook noodles in pan some they turn out great
I seen your recipe for this sauce and cooking it at t his very minute in my so cooker, I have made and tossed many other spaghetti sauce recipes in the trash, I’m hoping yours is going to be a keeper! I used mild ground Italian sausage 1 lb. My wife Susan who battled brain cancer died and her awsome recipes went with her, everyone is eating good in Heaven!
I hope you like this recipe Charles. I’m so sorry about your wife, you were lucky to enjoy her recipe while you did.
It’s a keeper, I added a half of chopped bell pepper. Added more Basil and oregano one quarter cup Merlot wine. Definitely Will make it again, so good and so easy. Thx for sharing this recipe!
Almost forgot I also added 18 home made meatballs.
I will be adding frozen meatballs instead of ground beef. When do I add them? Thanks
I would add them the last 2 hours.
Is this two hours low or high?
Either would work fine. You can not overcook frozen meatballs, they only get better in the slow cooker (any temp).
Can this sauce be used for lasagna?
Yes, it will work very well.