Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

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!

• Family-friendly: A classic, comforting sauce that’s kid-approved and perfect any night of the week. My husband and boys agree it’s the best spaghetti sauce they’ve ever had.
• Budget-friendly: There aren’t any fancy ingredients here–ground beef, garlic, onions, canned tomatoes and lots of seasonings. But there is a lot of flavor!
• Easy and hands-off: Once you’ve browned the ground beef, you just combine everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
• Makes a great freezer meal: This recipe makes a ton! If you’re feeding a crowd, double the batch so you can freeze some for another day.

After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and tasty variations!

Best Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

This slow cooker spaghetti sauce recipe combines lean ground beef, garlic, and a medley of herbs and spices for a flavorful dish that's perfect over spaghetti. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a comforting meal that satisfies every time.

4.45 from 636 votes

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Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 275kcal

Author: Danelle

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Ingredients 

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• 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.

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Instructions

• In a large skillet, saute 1 pound lean ground beef with 1 small onion and 4-6 cloves garlic until cooked through. Drain grease. Add beef to a lightly greased slow cooker.
• Add all remaining ingredients except spaghetti — 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 pepperto 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

Serving: 1g | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 838mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g

Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Ground Beef Substitutes: Feel free to substitute with ground turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, or a combination. I love preparing this sauce with half ground beef and half spicy Italian sausage for extra bold flavor.
• No Fresh Garlic? Substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
• Herb and Spice Options: If you don’t have all the herbs and spices listed, just use a little more of what you do have. Or substitute Italian seasoning as a shortcut.

Recipe Tips

• Customize the flavor: The spices in this recipe, such as basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes, can be customized to your liking. If you prefer a more herby sauce, feel free to add extra basil or oregano. Taste the sauce about halfway through cooking and adjust as needed.
• If you’re using fresh herbs like basil or parsley, it’s best to stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This preserves their bright, fresh flavors without them wilting or losing potency.
• To boost the nutrition of your sauce, you can add finely chopped vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers. These can be sautéed with the onions or added directly to the slow cooker.
• A variety of uses: This recipe features the perfect combination of ingredients for a sauce that’s perfect for all kinds of pasta, or as filling for meatball-style subs, or your favorite lasagna.

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Let sauce cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Portion into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags (lay flat for easy stacking) and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re in a hurry, place the sealed bag in a bowl of cold water for quicker thawing.

Reheating

• Stovetop: Pour into a saucepan and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add a splash of water if the sauce seems too thick.
• Microwave: Place a portion in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• Slow Cooker: (My favorite method!). Reheat large batches on low for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Pairings

Our favorite thing to enjoy with this spaghetti dish is some homemade bread, preferably with cheese and garlic. If we’re feeling healthy, we might throw in a green salad.

These are some of our favorite sides to enjoy with this hearty sauce.

More Delicious Pasta Sauce Recipes to Try

• Quick Homemade Marinara Sauce
• Slow Cooker Alfredo Sauce
• Almond Basil Pesto

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