Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauce

Transform weeknight dinners with this hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Sausage and Sauce recipe, a set-it-and-forget-it classic that fills your kitchen with the tantalizing aroma of Italian comfort food. Featuring juicy Italian sausage (choose mild or spicy to suit your taste buds) simmered in a savory tomato-based sauce with garlic, onions, and a medley of dried herbs, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. The slow cooker effortlessly melds the flavors together, creating tender sausages and a rich sauce that's perfect for pairing with pasta, creamy polenta, or crusty bread. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. With just 15 minutes of prep and the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, this recipe is an easy, hands-off dinner option for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:375 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 links Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and sear them until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. You don’t need to cook them through. Transfer the sausages to the slow cooker.

Step 2

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.

Step 3

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients.

Step 4

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the sausages are fully cooked and tender, and the sauce is thickened.

Step 5

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt or pepper if desired.

Step 6

Serve the sausages and sauce over cooked pasta, polenta, or alongside crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1774.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1805.8

Total Fat 138.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 300.0mg	0%
Sodium 6490.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.6g	0%
Total Sugars 34.2g
Protein 86.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 362.2mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 3699.2mg	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: 66.8%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 14.8%