Semi Homemade Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this flavorful Semi Homemade Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce, a perfect balance of convenience and rich, homemade taste. Combining time-saving jarred marinara with the robust flavors of sautéed onions, garlic, and your choice of ground beef or Italian sausage, this slow-cooked sauce is elevated with tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and a medley of Italian herbs like basil and oregano. The low-and-slow cooking process in the crock pot allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a sauce that's bursting with depth and warmth. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this hearty spaghetti sauce is an effortless way to serve a crowd-pleasing meal. Ladle it over your favorite pasta, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy a comforting dish that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all day! Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or freezer-friendly leftovers, this recipe is a must-try for busy home cooks.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:315 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 32 ounces jarred marinara sauce
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 14 ounces diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 large bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring regularly to avoid burning.

Step 3

Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until it is browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 4

Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the bowl of your crock pot (slow cooker).

Step 5

Add the jarred marinara sauce, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes (with their juices) into the crock pot.

Step 6

Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Place the bay leaf on top.

Step 7

Set the crock pot to low heat and cook for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the ingredients are fully combined and the flavors meld together.

Step 8

About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.

Step 9

Serve the spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2183.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2095.1

Total Fat 128.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 301.1mg	0%
Sodium 5093.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 149.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.0g	0%
Total Sugars 89.1g
Protein 104.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 382.5mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 6072.5mg	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: 53.2%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 27.6%