BEST SLOW COOKER SPAGHETTI SAUCE — Ground beef and tomato sauce, simmered in the slow cooker with garlic and plenty of seasonings makes this the tastiest spaghetti sauce you’ll ever try!
Growing up, we had spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner every single Monday. For years. Which kind of turned me off to spaghetti for a long time. So when I say this Best Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce is the best, I really mean it!
If I do eat spaghetti and meat sauce now, it has to be really, really good. And this stuff is absolutely amazing! I’m actually excited about eating spaghetti again!
This is the BEST !! I have made this multiple times for my family and have doubled it so I can freeze it for a quick meal. I tell everyone who is looking for a good pasta sauce recipe this is the one to use. ~ Ann
My husband and boys, who don’t have a childhood aversion to spaghetti, wholeheartedly agreed. This is the best spaghetti sauce they’ve ever had.
And when you’re feeding hungry teenage boys, it doesn’t get much better than an easy, economical, satisfying meal like this one.
There aren’t any fancy ingredients here–ground beef, garlic, onions, canned tomatoes and lots of seasonings.
But this recipe features the perfect combination of those ingredients for a mouthwatering sauce that’s perfect for all kinds of pasta, or as filling for your favorite lasagna.
There are so many ways to use this sauce, and it makes a lot and freezes well, so you can always keep some handy for those busy nights when you won’t have time to cook.
This recipe is also perfect for feeding a crowd, and is always popular at potlucks. It’s also a great option if you want to take a meal to a new mom or someone else who could use a little comfort food.
One thing is for sure, after trying this recipe, I’m happily eating spaghetti once again!
Be sure to save this Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make the Best Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
- Ground beef
- Produce: onions, garlic
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Spices: basil, oregano, fennel, parsley flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
- Sugar

Best Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Ground beef and tomato sauce, simmered in the slow cooker with garlic and plenty of seasonings makes this the tastiest spaghetti sauce you'll every try!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried fennel
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Spaghetti or other pasta, for serving.
Instructions
- In a large skillet, saute ground beef with onion and garlic until cooked through. Drain grease. Add beef to a lightly greased slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients, except spaghetti, to slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Add more water as needed for desired consistency.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti or other pasta.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 838mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 14gProtein: 22g
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Ann
This is the BEST !! I have made this multiple times for my family and have doubled it so I can freeze it for a quick meal. I tell everyone who is looking for a good pasta sauce recipe this is the one to use. The only change i made is I used 1lb of italian sausage and 1 lb of ground beef when i doubled this recipe. Yummo!!!
Danelle
Thank you so much!
Beverly Weisbaum
What size slow cooker is used?
Danelle
I use a 6 quart.
Molly Hollingsworth
This sauce is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! My friend made for her daughter’s graduation party this past Sunday. OUTSTANDING!! I just asked her for the recipe today. Can’t wait to make!!
Dianne Melnick
I am making this tomorrow, can’t wait to try it!
Angie
This is in my crockpot right now. So excited for 5pm to come so I can try this out on my hubby and our little one. So far tastes and looks so good.
Jessica
This looks great! Going to try on Monday Did everyone know that you can freeze leftover noodles?! I had no idea. Freezing leftover rice and noodles has been a game changer for dinner time.
Sharon
Okay, I have to tell you this is terrific and don’t mess with it folks! Sure, I added a pasta sauce and regretted the flavor. It is Simple, delicious and easy. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Sherry
Vanessa
This is the only recipe I use for bolognese sauce! I don’t change a thing, but I always wonder if lightly greasing the slow cooker is actually necessary. The flavor in this is phenomenal. The fennel makes it taste like a little sausage was used, when indeed it wasn’t. One of my top Pinterest recipes which I use quite often. 5 stars!!
Debra Pettibone
This is in my crockpot right now and my second time of making it. The first time I made only half the recipe because it is just me. On that, I like more meat in my spaghetti sauce so I wound up using a full pound of meat on the half recipe. This time I’m making a full recipe because of company and used 2 lbs of meat. Everything else is followed as written in the recipe and it is delicious! No more jar sauces for me. If I have any left over, into the freezer it will go for a quick meal later.
LeAnn Lunak
If I use Italian sausage instead of hamburger do I need to add the fennel? I dont want the fennel to overpower the other spices.
Christina Stuart
Hi, Danelle
I’m in Montreal, Canada, and I’m eight-one years young. I love my slow cooker as it gives me all day, every day, to serve as a volunteer.
I discovered your page by googling slow cooker spaghetti recipe. I looked at the Recommended Products and would like to purchase the Cook N Home 02401 Stainless Steel 4-Piece Pasta Cooker Steamer.
I would like to add to your earnings, however, if I order through your link which takes me to amazon.com, which comes up from your website, I will have to pay with a Canadian credit card in Canadian dollars for a total of CAD 106.32
Do you know if there is an alternate link for Canadian purchases?
Glad to have found your site … I have saved your website because your recipes are very much like the recipes I’ve saved in my Bridal Box, started in 1964. Just really good homestyle cooking ! ! ! (I’m not impressed with the recipes they’ve been churning out in this century.)
Waiting for your reply,
Christina Stuart
Carmen Cheung
I plan to make this tomorrow night.
Can I brown the ground beef, garlic and onions the night before and add everything in the next morning?
Or is it preferred that I cook the beef then add directly to the slow cooker ?
Tori
Hi There – How many oz is one serving and what is the nutritional info for one serving?
Ann marie
This looks delicious! What brand of sauce do you use ?
Danelle
I’m really not loyal to any one brand.