Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Today, we’re going to walk through a simple yet incredibly flavorful slow cooker spaghetti sauce recipe. The best part? It requires minimal hands-on time and yields a sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stovetop for hours (without you actually having to stand there!).
So, grab your slow cooker, and let’s get started on this culinary adventure!
Ingredients:
Before we dive into the steps, let’s take a peek at what we’ll need for our classic slow cooker spaghetti sauce:
- 1.5 – 2 pounds ground beef (you can also use Italian sausage, or a mix!)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt (add more to taste later)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (add more to taste later)
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar (helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- Optional: Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Now, let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Browning the Meat (Optional but Recommended)
While you can technically throw raw ground beef into the slow cooker, browning it beforehand adds a wonderful depth of flavor and improves the texture. Trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes.
- Grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat.
- Add your ground beef (or sausage) to the skillet.
- Use a spatula or spoon to break the meat apart.
- Cook until the meat is browned all over. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. This step helps to avoid a greasy sauce later on.
Step 2: Adding Aromatics
Now, let’s bring in some flavor powerhouses: onion and garlic.
- In the same skillet (no need to wash it yet!), add the chopped onion.
- Cook over medium heat until the onion becomes softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This step sweetens the onions and builds another layer of flavor.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. The aroma will let you know it’s ready.
Step 3: Transfer to the Slow Cooker
Time to move our flavorful meat and aromatics into the slow cooker.
- Carefully transfer the browned ground beef, softened onions, and fragrant garlic into your slow cooker.
Step 4: Adding the Tomato Goodness
Now for the heart of our spaghetti sauce – the tomatoes!
- Pour in the two cans of crushed tomatoes. The crushed tomatoes will form the base of our sauce, providing a lovely texture.
- Next, add the can of tomato sauce. This adds more liquid and richness to the sauce.
- Finally, spoon in the tomato paste. Tomato paste is concentrated tomato flavor and will help to thicken our sauce and deepen its taste.
Step 5: Adding Herbs and Spices
Time to season our sauce and give it that classic Italian flavor.
- Sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme. These herbs are essential for that authentic Italian taste.
- Add the salt and black pepper. Remember, you can always add more seasoning to taste at the end.
- Tuck the bay leaf into the sauce. The bay leaf will infuse its subtle flavor as the sauce simmers. We’ll remove it before serving.
Step 6: The Optional Sweetener
A little touch of sweetness can really round out the flavors of the tomato sauce.
- If you like, stir in the tablespoon of sugar. This is particularly helpful if your tomatoes are a bit acidic.
Step 7: Give It a Good Stir
Let’s make sure everything is nicely combined.
- Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker until everything is evenly distributed.
Step 8: Cover and Cook
Now comes the easy part – letting the slow cooker do its magic!
- Place the lid on your slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Cooking on low for a longer time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Step 9: Stir and Taste
Almost there! Let’s check on our sauce.
- Once the cooking time is up, remove the lid and give the sauce a good stir.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Now, it’s tasting time! Take a spoonful of the sauce and taste it. Adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, pepper, or even a pinch more of your favorite herbs.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!
The moment we’ve been waiting for!
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- Ladle your delicious slow cooker spaghetti sauce over your favorite cooked pasta.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
- Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and maybe a side of crusty bread for soaking up all that wonderful sauce.
Tips and Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while it’s cooking for a little heat.
- Add vegetables: Feel free to sauté other vegetables like chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini along with the onions and garlic.
- Go meatless: For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and add more vegetables or even some lentils for protein.
- Herb variations: Experiment with other dried herbs like marjoram or rosemary. You can also add a Parmesan cheese rind to the slow cooker for extra flavor (remove before serving).
- Make it richer: For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of red wine after browning the meat and let it reduce slightly before transferring to the slow cooker.
- Freezing for later: This slow cooker spaghetti sauce freezes beautifully! Once it’s cooled completely, transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Why Slow Cooker Sauce is the Best:
There’s just something magical about slow cooking a sauce. The low and slow heat allows all the flavors to meld together in a way that’s hard to replicate on the stovetop in a short amount of time. It’s also incredibly convenient – you can prep the ingredients in the morning, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. Plus, the aroma that fills your house as it cooks is simply divine!
So, there you have it – a simple and delicious recipe for slow cooker spaghetti sauce. I hope you give it a try and enjoy the ease and incredible flavor that comes with it. Happy cooking!
