If you love cozy, slow-simmered Italian flavors but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen, the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is a real game changer. This rich, meaty sauce is brimming with robust tomato flavor, perfectly seasoned ground beef or Italian sausage, and just the right blend of herbs. It’s designed to let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting, leaving you free to savor mouthwatering aromas and anticipate a hearty meal the whole family will adore. Whether you’re prepping for a weeknight dinner or making a big batch for meal prep, this is truly the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce you’ll ever taste!

Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity—classic pantry ingredients, prepared with care, create amazing comfort food. Every component in the list below brings depth, richness, or freshness to the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce, so let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need.

Olive oil: Adds a hint of fruitiness and helps sauté the aromatics until perfectly golden.
Onion: Gives the sauce a subtle sweetness and acts as a flavorful base.
Garlic: Delivers that irresistible, bold aroma found in every great Italian sauce.
Ground beef or Italian sausage (or both): Provides hearty texture and a savory depth of flavor—mixing meats can add complexity!
Crushed tomatoes (2 cans): Build a lush, tangy tomato backbone for the sauce.
Tomato sauce: Adds silkiness and helps mellow out the acidity of crushed tomatoes.
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato essence and thickens the sauce beautifully.
Sugar: Just enough to balance the tartness of the tomatoes, not to make it sweet.
Dried oregano: Classic herb that pairs beautifully with tomato and meat.
Dried basil: Infuses the sauce with subtle, sweet, and peppery notes.
Thyme: Seems subtle, but it really rounds out the herb blend with an earthy depth.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Adds a gentle heat that makes flavors pop—add more or less to taste.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings everything together.
Black pepper: Gives warmth and just a touch of bite to the sauce.
Fresh parsley: Adds a burst of color and a refreshing, grassy finish.
Bay leaf: Steeps the sauce with subtle herbal notes—don’t forget to remove it before serving!

How to Make Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by pouring the olive oil into a large skillet set over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, toss in the diced onion and cook for three to four minutes. You want the onion to soften and become translucent, unlocking its sweetness. Stir in the minced garlic, and in just about thirty seconds, your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing. This quick step coaxes out deep flavor and sets the tone for your Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Add your ground beef, Italian sausage, or the perfect blend of both into the skillet. Break the meat up as it browns, ensuring even cooking and maximum caramelization. When no pink remains, take a moment to drain off any excess fat—doing so keeps your sauce rich but not greasy. Now your meaty base is primed for the slow cooker.

Step 3: Combine in the Crockpot

Transfer your fragrant meat mixture into your slow cooker. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, swirl in the tomato sauce, and spoon in the concentrated tomato paste. Sprinkle in all the herbs, sugar, salt, pepper, parsley, and bay leaf. If you’re a fan of a little heat, it’s the perfect time to add those red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce looks spectacularly unified.

Step 4: Let It Simmer Low and Slow

Set your crockpot to low and cozy up for 6 to 8 hours of gentle simmering (or use high for 3 to 4 hours if you’re in a hurry). This patient, low-and-slow process helps all the flavors meld, transforming simple ingredients into something truly special. Give it a stir now and then to make sure the sauce cooks evenly and nothing sticks to the edges. Before serving, fish out the bay leaf and discard it—that deep, herbal note will already be infused through the entire batch.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Once the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is thick, glossy, and bubbling, it’s ready for its grand debut. Spoon it generously over your favorite cooked spaghetti or any pasta you adore. Each bite is the perfect balance of savory, herby, and hearty—a true crockpot miracle!

How to Serve Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

Garnishes

To make every plate pop with personality, sprinkle on some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a handful of chopped basil or parsley, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra warmth. A little drizzle of good olive oil just before serving also adds lovely sheen and richness to the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce.

Side Dishes

This sauce is begging for classic accompaniments. Think crusty garlic bread, a lightly dressed green salad, or even roasted vegetables. These sides are not just delicious—they mop up every last bit of sauce and turn dinner into an Italian-inspired feast.

Creative Ways to Present

The Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce does more than just top pasta! Try it over zucchini noodles for a lighter twist, use it as a hearty filling for baked stuffed peppers, or ladle it generously onto a bed of creamy polenta for serious comfort. It even makes a fabulous base for homemade lasagna or meatball subs on crusty rolls.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is a true gift for future you! Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and tastes even better as the flavors settle in together.

Freezing

This sauce is made for meal prep, so go ahead and freeze any extra! Pour the cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags (lay them flat for easy stacking), and it will keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Just remember to label and date—you’ll be so glad when you rediscover it later.

Reheating

Whether from the fridge or freezer, reheating the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is effortless. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water if it seems too thick, and enjoy all those slow-cooked flavors revived to their full glory!

FAQs

Can I make this sauce vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply leave out the ground beef and sausage, and add extra veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to make a rich and satisfying vegetarian version of the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce.

Should I drain the fat after browning the meat?

Yes, draining excess fat after browning the meat helps keep the sauce from becoming too greasy, while still capturing all that rich, savory flavor in the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce.

Do I need to sauté the onions and garlic first?

Sautéing the onions and garlic before adding to the crockpot builds deeper flavor, but in a pinch, you can toss them in raw. The slow cooker will soften them as it simmers, though the flavor will be milder.

How do I adjust the spice level?

Easy! The amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is entirely up to you—add more for a good kick, or leave them out altogether for a milder sauce that everyone will love.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Definitely! Fresh herbs add fantastic brightness. Use about three times the amount of fresh as you would dried, and for the best results, stir fresh basil and parsley in right at the end.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing like a bubbling pot of Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce to make your kitchen smell like an Italian trattoria. Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving something comforting and homemade—you’ll be so proud of the delicious results, and your family and friends will beg for seconds!

Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is a hearty and flavorful sauce that simmers to perfection in the slow cooker, making it a convenient and delicious meal option for pasta lovers.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds ground beef or Italian sausage
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 bay leaf

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Instructions

In a skillet, sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add garlic and meat: Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef or sausage, cook until browned, breaking it up.
Transfer to crockpot: Drain excess fat. Transfer meat mixture to the crockpot.
Add remaining ingredients: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, herbs, spices, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
Cook in crockpot: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Remove bay leaf and serve: Discard bay leaf before serving. Serve sauce over cooked pasta.

Notes

This sauce freezes well—cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
For added depth of flavor, stir in a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of cinnamon before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Italian-American