Slow Cooker Meaty Pasta Sauce

Transform your pasta nights with this hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Meaty Pasta Sauce, a recipe that combines convenience with bold, homemade taste. Packed with ground beef, savory Italian sausage, and aromatic garlic and onions, this sauce builds layers of flavor as it slow-cooks to perfection. A rich tomato base featuring crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, enhanced with a blend of dried herbs and a hint of sweetness from sugar, creates a balanced, robust sauce that's ideal for any pasta dish. With just 15 minutes of prep and a hands-off slow-cooking process, it's the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Serve this versatile sauce over spaghetti, penne, or linguine, and top it off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of brightness. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or satisfying cravings, this meaty pasta sauce is a timeless crowd-pleaser.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:375 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
• 6 ounces canned tomato paste
• 0.5 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and Italian sausage.

Step 2

Cook the meat, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and transfer the meat to the slow cooker.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic to the slow cooker.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.

Step 6

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Step 7

After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve the meaty pasta sauce over cooked pasta of your choice, such as spaghetti, penne, or linguine.

Step 9

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1595.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2209.2

Total Fat 154.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 55.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 462.1mg	0%
Sodium 7293.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 96.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.2g	0%
Total Sugars 48.8g
Protein 126.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 365.0mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 4691.3mg	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: 61.0%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 16.9%