Dad's Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

Slow-simmered to perfection, Dad's Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. This rich and hearty sauce combines the bold flavors of ground beef and Italian sausage with aromatic onions, garlic, and a medley of Italian seasonings, all melded together in a base of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar. The slow cooker does all the work, enhancing the depth of flavor as the ingredients simmer for hours, making your kitchen smell irresistible. Whether ladled over your favorite pasta or used as a base for other Italian-inspired dishes, this versatile spaghetti sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, it freezes beautifully, so you can always have a batch on hand for quick, satisfying meals. Perfect for meal prep, this crock pot recipe is sure to become a cherished family tradition.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:380 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces Tomato sauce
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 1 cup Water
• 2 teaspoons Dried basil
• 2 teaspoons Dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 pieces Bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and transfer the meat to the crock pot.

Step 2

In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the onion and garlic mixture to the crock pot.

Step 3

To the crock pot, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Add the dried basil, dried oregano, granulated sugar, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and bay leaves. Stir everything together thoroughly.

Step 5

Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6

After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed (add more salt or pepper to taste). Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Step 7

Serve the spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta of your choice and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Step 8

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2689.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3009.0

Total Fat 208.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 74.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 22.5g
Cholesterol 684.0mg	0%
Sodium 6848.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 122.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.2g	0%
Total Sugars 76.3g
Protein 178.9g	0%

Vitamin D 181.4IU	0%
Calcium 450.9mg	0%
Iron 26.4mg	0%
Potassium 6200.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.9%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 15.9%