Meat Lover's Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Indulge your carnivorous cravings with this hearty and flavorful Meat Lover's Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, a rich, meaty take on a classic Italian favorite. Packed with three types of protein—savory ground beef, zesty Italian sausage, and crispy pancetta—this sauce is slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the robust flavors to meld beautifully. Aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a medley of herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley create a comforting, homemade taste that’s elevated by a touch of beef broth for depth. Perfectly suited for busy weeknights or leisurely Sunday dinners, this deliciously rich sauce brims with soul-warming aroma and pairs effortlessly with spaghetti, rigatoni, or your favorite pasta. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil for a restaurant-quality finish that will leave everyone coming back for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:380 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 0.5 pounds Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 0.25 pounds Pancetta, diced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried parsley
• 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
• 1 Bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish, optional)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Remove the ground beef with a slotted spoon and transfer to the slow cooker.

Step 2

In the same skillet, add the Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbled. Transfer to the slow cooker along with the ground beef.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the pancetta. Cook until it is crispy and has rendered its fat. Use a slotted spoon to add the pancetta to the slow cooker.

Step 4

To the skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer the cooked onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.

Step 6

Sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, dried parsley, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, black pepper, and sugar. Nestle the bay leaf into the sauce.

Step 7

Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. The flavors will deepen and meld together over time.

Step 8

Once done, discard the bay leaf. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.

Step 9

Serve the meat lover's spaghetti sauce over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2221.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3169.2

Total Fat 230.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 83.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 596.3mg	0%
Sodium 9128.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 106.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.6g	0%
Total Sugars 59.6g
Protein 175.2g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 1083.7mg	0%
Iron 24.8mg	0%
Potassium 5660.2mg	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: 64.8%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 13.3%