Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

There is nothing better than a slow-simmered sauce like this slow cooker spaghetti sauce that just fills the house with cozy, mouthwatering aromas. Similar to my pappardelle bolognese recipe and my Italian Sausage Pasta recipes that screams comfort.

This sauce has become a family favorite sauce, and with just 15 minutes of prep time to brown the meat and chop an onion, it a game-changer! Finding a recipe for the whole family that never disappoints is a total win.

Why This Recipe Works

✔️ Set It & Forget It: The slow cooker does all the work! After you brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, all you have to do is add the ingredients and let it simmer to perfection.

✔️ Incredible Flavor: the slow cooking process enhances the taste of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs for a rich and hearty sauce. Be sure taste and adjust the seasonings after it cooks to get the perfect taste for you and your family. (I usually always add extra salt!)

✔️ Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and freeze for easy future meals. It’s simple, delicious, and practically effortless so it’s an easy recipe to add to the meal-prep rotation!

✔️ Customizable: Adjust the seasonings, add veggies, or swap the meat to make it your own!

A close-up of a plate of pasta topped with slow-cooked spaghetti sauce, made with ground meat, tomatoes, and seasonings. The dish is garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. In the background, a grater, cork, and glass are visible, adding to the rustic and cozy dining setting. - 3

Other pasta favorites I know you’ll love is my Skillet Rotini Lasagna , Easy Shell Pasta , and Stuffed Shells .

blogger tawnie graham in a kitchen with an instant pot and several dishes of food - 4

Table Talk with Tawnie

I’ll truly never get tired of red sauce and pasta. I think we can all agree it’s just too good! I’ll always love spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna , but a good meat sauce over some pasta at the end of a long day never disappoints. I love that I can make this in the morning, and then go about my day, knowing dinner will be (mostly) ready come dinner time. Just the best, right?!

Ingredient Notes

(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)

a top-down view of ingredients for a slow cooker spaghetti sauce, neatly arranged on a rustic wooden surface. Ingredients include ground beef, ground sausage, San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes or passata, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, sugar, red wine or beef broth, and a block of Parmesan cheese. The ingredients are labeled with text overlays for easy identification. - 5

Ground beef & sausage: I like to use a mix of beef and sausage, but feel free to use whatever meat you like best (ground turkey and ground pork are other good option) add a hearty texture and depth of flavor.
Onion & garlic : the only chopping you’ll do! Everything else is opening cans!
Tomato products: I like to use San Marzano tomatoes because they are sweeter and less acidic than regular tomatoes. Passata helps to create a smooth, thick base, and the tomato paste helps to thicken the sauce and intensify the overall flavor.
Sugar : You’ll see this a lot in red sauces because it balances out the acidity of the tomatoes. Feel free to use less based on your preferences.

A top-down view of a plate of pasta with slow-cooked spaghetti sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. A vintage fork is partially twirled into the pasta, and a glass of red wine sits nearby on a rustic wooden table, accompanied by scattered basil leaves and a block of Parmesan cheese. - 6

Step by Step Directions

(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)

Brown the meats

The “hardest” step of this recipe, and it’s not even hard! Add the meat to a skillet and brown the meat with the onions and garlic. Boom! Done. Next step.

Add everything in the slow cooker

Literally add it all in! Crush up some of the larger san marzano tomatoes so there aren’t any huge huge chunks of tomato in your sauce, unless you like that!

Cook then serve!

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve it with your favorite pasta shape (this shape in these photos is the Malfalde Corte shape!). Dig into the cozy and enjoy!

Expert Tips

✔️ Use Quality Tomatoes – the San Marzano tomatoes really make a difference and give the best flavor.
✔️ Brown the Meat First – Adds depth and makes for a better texture and flavor (prevents a greasy sauce). If you add it in raw, the meat can become mushy and greasy.
✔️ Season to Taste – be sure to adjust salt, pepper, and herbs to your preference. I love adding red chili flakes, lots of fresh basil, and a scoop of ricotta to mine!

Storage / Freezing

Refrigerator: Allow to cool, and then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days .
Freezer: Let the sauce cool completely, then portion into freezer bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months .
Reheating: Stovetop: Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

A close-up of a plate of pasta with slow-cooked spaghetti sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. A vintage fork is twirled into the pasta, and a glass of red wine sits nearby. In the background, fresh basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, and a block of Parmesan cheese are visible on a rustic wooden table. - 10

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Green Pan Slow Cooker

My favorite cutting board

Which pasta shape would you choose?

More Recipes You’ll Love

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos

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Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup

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📸 Photos by Sierra Ashleigh Photography