Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce with Steak and Shrimp for a Rich, Hearty Meal

Why You’ll Love This slow cooker spaghetti sauce

• Ease of preparation: This slow cooker spaghetti sauce recipe is incredibly simple and requires minimal hands-on time. You just combine all ingredients in the slow cooker, set it on high or low, and let it cook for several hours. This hands-off approach means you can focus on other tasks while the sauce slowly simmers to perfection, making dinner prep stress-free and quick.
• Health benefits: Made with wholesome ingredients like crushed tomatoes, fresh onions, and garlic, this homemade slow cooker spaghetti sauce is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. It contains around 77 calories per cup without meat, making it a nutritious option. You can also customize it easily for low-fat or low-calorie diets, contributing to healthier meal choices.
• Versatility: This sauce adapts beautifully to various dietary needs whether you want to add ground beef, Italian sausage, or keep it vegetarian or vegan. Substituting proteins or adjusting seasonings ensures it fits gluten-free and low-calorie lifestyles as well. Plus, you can even add uncooked pasta during the last hour for a convenient one-pot meal.
• Distinctive flavor: Slow cooking allows all flavors to meld deeply. The combination of dried basil, oregano, garlic, brown sugar, and optional balsamic vinegar creates a rich, layered taste. Butter adds a silky richness, though olive oil is a great substitute. This long, slow simmer builds a depth and sweetness that quick stovetop sauces just can’t match.

Essential Ingredients for slow cooker spaghetti sauce

Main Ingredients:

• 1 yellow onion, diced – Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce base.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced – Brings essential aromatic flavor and complexity.
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes – Forms the rich, tangy tomato foundation.
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste – Intensifies tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon dried basil – Provides classic Italian herbal notes.
• 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano – Adds earthiness and complements the basil.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar – Balances acidity with subtle sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional) – Adds brightness and depth.
• 4 tablespoons butter (or olive oil) – Enhances richness and smooth texture.
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) – Essential for seasoning and enhancing flavors.
• 1 pound ground beef and/or Italian sausage (optional) – Brown separately to prevent overcooking, adds protein and hearty flavor.

Special Dietary Options:

• Vegan: Omit meat and use olive oil instead of butter for a plant-based slow cooker spaghetti sauce.
• Gluten-free: Naturally gluten-free, but confirm that any meat or broth added does not contain gluten.
• Low-calorie: Substitute butter with olive oil sparingly or omit. Use ground turkey instead of beef for leaner protein.

How to Prepare the Perfect slow cooker spaghetti sauce: Step-by-Step Guide

First Step: Prep the Vegetables and Ingredients

Dice 1 yellow onion and mince 4 cloves of garlic. Open and measure out 2 cans (28 ounces each) of crushed tomatoes and one 6-ounce can of tomato paste. Gather dried basil, oregano, brown sugar, and optional balsamic vinegar. Have your butter (or olive oil) ready. For best results, use a slow cooker with a ceramic insert of at least 3 quarts for even cooking.

Second Step: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Place the diced onion and minced garlic directly into the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Sprinkle in the dried basil and oregano, then add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar if using. Drop in the butter chunks or drizzle olive oil and stir gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Third Step: Start the Slow Cooker

Cover your slow cooker with the lid. Cook the sauce on high for approximately 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. This timeframe lets the flavors develop gradually and the sauce thicken to the perfect consistency. The slow cooker does the work, creating a richly flavored spaghetti sauce with minimal effort.

Fourth Step: Prepare Optional Meat (If Using)

If you want to add meat, brown 1 pound of ground beef and/or Italian sausage separately in a pan. Browning develops deeper flavors and helps prevent the meat from overcooking or becoming tough in the slow cooker. After browning, drain excess fat and stir the cooked meat into the sauce after the cooking cycle finishes.

Fifth Step: Season and Finalize

Once the slow cooker time is complete, stir the sauce well. Start seasoning with ½ teaspoon of salt, tasting as you go, and adding up to 1 teaspoon total or to your preference. Adjust seasonings if needed for example, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a splash of olive oil for richer mouthfeel.

Final Step: Serve or Store

Enjoy your slow cooker spaghetti sauce immediately over cooked pasta of choice. As a tip, toss noodles with a little olive oil after cooking to prevent sticking. You can also refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze in portions (2-3 cups per container or quart-sized freezer bags) for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or warm gently on the stove before serving.

Adding uncooked pasta during the last hour of cooking can turn this sauce into a one-pot meal. Make sure the pasta is fully covered with sauce and add a little broth or water if needed to prevent drying.

For more comforting pasta meals, you might enjoy my Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe, another crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your slow cooker spaghetti sauce

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Ground beef or Italian sausage can be substituted with ground turkey for a leaner protein option without losing richness.
• Vegetarian and vegan diets can skip meat altogether, adding extra vegetables or plant-based protein alternatives such as lentils or crumbled tofu.
• For pescatarians, consider adding sautéed shrimp towards the end of cooking for a seafood twist on your slow cooker spaghetti sauce with shrimp.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

• Add diced zucchini or bell peppers for extra nutrition and color.
• Substitute traditional tomato paste with roasted red pepper purée for a smoky flavor variation.
• Try swapping dried oregano and basil with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to shift the flavor profile seasonally.
• Introduce heat with red pepper flakes to suit spice lovers, or moderate with a dash of balsamic vinegar to highlight sweetness.

Mastering slow cooker spaghetti sauce: Advanced Tips and Variations

How to Store slow cooker spaghetti sauce: Best Practices

Proper storage of your slow cooker spaghetti sauce ensures freshness and flavor preservation for future meals.

Refrigeration

Transfer any leftover sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh and safe to eat for up to 4 days. Always cool the sauce before refrigerating to prevent condensation buildup inside the container.

Freezing

For longer storage, portion the sauce into freezer-safe containers or quart-sized freezer bags, leaving space for expansion. Lay bags flat to maximize freezer space and enable quicker thawing. The sauce can be frozen for up to 3-4 months without significant quality loss.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching and to maintain the sauce’s smooth texture. You can also thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then warm thoroughly before serving.

Meal Prep Considerations

Batch cooking large portions of slow cooker spaghetti sauce makes meal prep effortless. Freeze in single or family-sized portions to quickly reheat as needed, saving time on busy days without sacrificing homemade flavor.

Learn more about convenient meal prep ideas on my blog featuring recipes like Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta for flavorful one-pot dinners.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About slow cooker spaghetti sauce

slow cooker spaghetti sauce

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• Author: Isabella Hayes
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 7 cups 1x
• Diet: Contains meat and seafood (steak and shrimp); can be adapted for gluten-free; not vegetarian without modifications

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Description

🍝 Enjoy the rich, hearty flavors of this slow cooker spaghetti sauce, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
🍅 This recipe is easy to customize with meat or vegetarian options, making it versatile and delicious.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 yellow onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 tablespoon dried basil

1.5 teaspoons dried oregano

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound ground beef and/or Italian sausage

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Instructions

First Step: Prep the Vegetables and Ingredients Dice 1 yellow onion and mince 4 cloves of garlic. Open and measure out 2 cans (28 ounces each) of crushed tomatoes and one 6-ounce can of tomato paste. Gather dried basil, oregano, brown sugar, and optional balsamic vinegar. Have your butter (or olive oil) ready. For best results, use a slow cooker with a ceramic insert of at least 3 quarts for even cooking.

Second Step: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker Place the diced onion and minced garlic directly into the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Sprinkle in the dried basil and oregano, then add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar if using. Drop in the butter chunks or drizzle olive oil and stir gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Third Step: Start the Slow Cooker Cover your slow cooker with the lid. Cook the sauce on high for approximately 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. This timeframe lets the flavors develop gradually and the sauce thicken to the perfect consistency. The slow cooker does the work, creating a richly flavored spaghetti sauce with minimal effort.

Fourth Step: Prepare Optional Meat (If Using) If you want to add meat, brown 1 pound of ground beef and/or Italian sausage separately in a pan. Browning develops deeper flavors and helps prevent the meat from overcooking or becoming tough in the slow cooker. After browning, drain excess fat and stir the cooked meat into the sauce after the cooking cycle finishes.

Fifth Step: Season and Finalize Once the slow cooker time is complete, stir the sauce well. Start seasoning with ½ teaspoon of salt, tasting as you go, and adding up to 1 teaspoon total or to your preference. Adjust seasonings if needed for example, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a splash of olive oil for richer mouthfeel.

Final Step: Serve or Store Enjoy your slow cooker spaghetti sauce immediately over cooked pasta of choice. As a tip, toss noodles with a little olive oil after cooking to prevent sticking. You can also refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze in portions (2-3 cups per container or quart-sized freezer bags) for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or warm gently on the stove before serving.

Notes

🥄 Browning meat separately enhances flavor and prevents overcooking.
🌶️ Add red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick.
❄️ Freeze leftover sauce in portions for up to 3-4 months for convenient meals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 4 hours
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (without meat)
• Calories: 77 (without meat)
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 393mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g (without meat)
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: slow cooker, spaghetti sauce, steak, shrimp