Crockpot spaghetti sauce is slow cooked and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients like ground beef and crushed tomatoes, perfect over any shape of pasta, and simmers away all day in the slow cooker for amazing flavor without much effort!
about this healthy crockpot spaghetti sauce recipe
This healthy crockpot spaghetti sauce is made with simple, real ingredients without any fillers or preservatives.
Making this slow cooker recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight or weekend at home.
Since it has just a few ingredients, it’s also a very economical way to feed a crowd.
I have tested this recipe without browning the meat first, and while the sauce still tastes very good, I personally do not enjoy the texture.
However, if you don’t mind the texture, feel free to skip the browning step for even easier prep!
table of contents
Click on each category below to go straight to that section:
how to make meatless spaghetti sauce
instructions for spaghetti sauce with sausage
make this spaghetti sauce with meatballs instead
how to add red wine to your sauce
ways to use this slow cooker spaghetti sauce
crockpot spaghetti sauce with no meat
It’s easy to make this crockpot spaghetti sauce meatless!
Simply substitute 2 pounds of chopped cremini mushrooms for the ground beef.
Saute the mushrooms, just like you would the beef, prior to adding to the slow cooker.
If you’re looking for meatless sauce options, you’ll love this creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe.
instructions for spaghetti sauce with sausage
You can also make this spaghetti sauce with sausage in place of the ground beef.
Simply swap ½ pound bulk Italian sausage for ½ pound ground beef.
make this spaghetti sauce with meatballs instead
To make crockpot spaghetti sauce with meatballs, substitute 1 pound prepared meatballs for the ground beef and onion mixture.
Then add the meatballs to the slow cooker with the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and spices, and cook according to recipe directions.
how to add red wine to this spaghetti sauce
If you’d like to add red wine to this spaghetti sauce, add ¼ cup to the pan after the ground beef has browned.
Allow the wine to reduce slightly.
Then add the mixture to the slow cooker and proceed with the recipe as written.
ingredients & modifications
Ground beef: The type of ground beef is up to you, either a 95% lean ground beef or traditional 80% lean ground beef will work. The extra fat from an 80% lean ground beef will lend extra flavor, but if you prefer leaner the long, slow cook time will still yield a delicious, tender result.
Ground turkey can also be used in place of the beef in this recipe — we recommend using 93% lean for the best flavor.
Onion: The onion adds so much flavor to homemade tomato sauce. But if you don’t like or can’t eat onions, feel free to skip them in this recipe.
Tomato paste: Don’t skip the tomato paste, it’s what allows the sauce to thicken in the slow cooker.
Olive oil: I like the flavor of olive oil best in this recipe. But any neutral oil will work in this soup, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil or canola.
Kosher salt: Look for kosher salt with the regular iodized salt at the grocery store (it has a subtler flavor). Use less iodized salt if that’s what you have on hand.
Honey: The natural sweetness of the honey can balance out the acidity of the tomatoes for an extra delicious sauce. You can skip it if you want to keep this recipe vegan and whole30 friendly.
If you prefer the convenience of using a jar of spaghetti sauce in this recipe, you can use 1 24-oz jar of premade sauce in place of the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, herbs and spices.
how to use slow cooker spaghetti sauce
Serve over spaghetti or any other shape of pasta you like.
Also works great for a low carb option, like ladling it over zoodles or cooked spaghetti squash.
You can also use any extra sauce to make an easy lasagna!
how to store & freeze leftovers
Homemade tomato sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.
This sauce also freezes beautifully, either in a gallon ziplock bag, or individually in mason jars.
You can store it in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.
more slow cooker ground beef recipes
Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef
Beef Minestrone Soup with Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Instructions
Slow Cooker Easy Beef and Bean Chili
this recipe is…
dairy free , egg free , gluten free , grain free , mayo free , nut free , paleo , soy free
I hope you’ll make this healthy Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce recipe soon.
If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon no-salt added Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt divided
To add at the end
- 1 tablespoon honey (omit for whole30)
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- To a large pan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3-4 minutes or until softened.
- Add the beef, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and stir to break the meat apart. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Optional: Drain off excess fat and discard.
- Add the cooked meat and onion mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon salt, stirring to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Do not remove the lid during the cooking process.
- Uncover and add the honey if using. Stir and taste, adding additional salt if desired.
- Serve over pasta of choice.
Stovetop Instructions
- To a large pan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3-4 minutes or until softened.
- Add the beef, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and stir to break the meat apart. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon salt, stirring to combine.
- Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook on low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover and add the honey if using. Stir and taste, adding additional salt if desired.
- Serve over pasta of choice.
Notes
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links.
2 comments to " Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce "