Easy Semi-Homemade Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
This is the best easy semi-homemade crockpot spaghetti sauce. It is simplified using a crockpot and jarred sauce. It is jazzed up with some extra herbs and spices, loaded with juicy ground beef and, sweetened with a little brown sugar. This will quickly become a family favorite!
A recipe that calls for little prep time is a recipe that I like to call one of my favorites. This easy semi-homemade crockpot spaghetti sauce is exactly that! Using jarred pasta sauce makes this recipe even more simple to make, while the crockpot does the work.
Some other of my family’s favorite main dish meals include Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese, Quick and Easy Sloppy Joes, and The Best Tasting Homemade Hamburger Helper.
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INGREDIENT NOTES
- Olive Oil: To help brown the meat and caramelize the onions, olive oil does this while adding a nice flavor to the sauce.
- Onion: For some sweetness, we use sweet onion in this pasta sauce recipe.
- Minced Garlic: Garlic helps enrich the flavors of the easy slow cooker spaghetti sauce.
- Ground Beef: One of the main ingredients in this dish is ground meat, adding a nice texture and flavor to this sauce.
- Fresh Vegetables: To up the nutritional value and add a nice texture fresh vegetables such as mushrooms, and peppers are added.
- Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes in Italian seasoning are the best choice for this already tasty crockpot pasta sauce.
- Jarred Pasta Sauce: To make this recipe easy we use jar pasta sauce instead of fresh tomatoes making this sauce taste great while saving time.
- Tomato Paste: To help add some thickness to the sauce we use a full can of tomato paste.
- Brown Sugar: To bring out the flavor and add a little tang/sweetness to the sauce we use brown sugar.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add a little more or less or none of this ingredient depending on your spice level. A pinch will add just enough spice to this slow-cooker spaghetti sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is added to this recipe to give it more flavor.
- Starchy Water: This helps the sauce hold to the noodles when served, making this the best pasta sauce ever!
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large skillet or in your all-in-one crock pot, sauté onion, and garlic in olive oil until the onions begin to caramelize on medium heat. About 4 minutes.
- Add your meat, stirring occasionally, and break it apart as it cooks. Cook until juices run clear and meat is cooked through.
- While your meat cooks, finely chop your vegetables.
- Once the meat is cooked add in fresh vegetables, and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until vegetables become tender.
- Prepare canned and jarred goods by removing the lids.
- Add pasta sauces, paste, tomatoes, brown sugar, red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning in the crockpot, followed by the meat (if cooked on the stovetop).
- Set the crock pot to 4 hours on low heat or simmer on the stovetop for 1.5 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once ready, prepare your noodles of choice by cooking them al dente.
- Once your pasta noodles are cooked, carefully remove 1/2 cup of hot boiling starchy pasta water straight from the pot to your pasta sauce and stir it in.
- Plate your noodles and add the pasta sauce on top.
- Garnish the pasta dish with parmesan cheese, parsley, and/or red pepper flakes.
RECIPE NOTES
Dried Herbs/Spices: Dried herbs and spices give this easy slow cooker spaghetti sauce some great added flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a great flavor-bursting kick to this already tasty sauce.
Fresh Diced Vegetables: Adding in fresh vegetables adds some great texture, flavor, and taste to this homemade spaghetti sauce. Don’t skip out on adding in the fresh vegetables, it sure does add some greatness to this spaghetti sauce.
EXPERT TIPS
Brown the Meat: Brown the meat either using your all-in-one crockpot or brown it on the stovetop. This adds some caramelized richness to the sauce and enhances the overall taste.
Add the Starchy Water: Adding in some of the starchy water from the cooked noodles to your sauce will add another great texture and flavor but also make the noodles stick to the sauce once you plate it up.
Leave the Lid Ajar: Leaving the lid ajar will help soak up any extra moisture and help thicken the sauce as it cooks. If you want a thinner sauce, leave the lid fully closed.
SERVING TIPS
There are so many fun ways to serve spaghetti sauce from the type of noodles, garnishes, sides, and more!
Pasta noodles are a classic for serving spaghetti sauce. You can use your favorite type of pasta noodle such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. Coat the noodles evenly and toss to ensure every bite is full of flavor.
Another great choice, if you are looking to keep this spaghetti sauce low-carb, is to use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
Garnish your slow cooker pasta sauce with freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some extra flavor and spice.
A salad such as Caesar salad pairs perfectly with this crockpot spaghetti sauce. Another great salad choice is a tossed salad with some fresh crisp vegetables and a light vinaigrette.
Instead of using ground beef for this jarred spaghetti sauce recipe, you can also use meatballs, Italian sausage, or chicken breast. These choices change the texture and taste but make for a well-rounded and delicious dinner.
STORAGE TIPS
When it comes to storing this best spaghetti sauce using jar sauce there are a few different ways.
Fridge: Ensure that the sauce has cooled completely down to room temperature. Add the sauce to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Label the container or bag with the date and freeze it for up to three months.
To reheat this crockpot pasta sauce from frozen, transfer it to the fridge to allow it to thaw overnight. Once thawed, reheat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave until it is heated through. Stir occasionally so it heats evenly through. Serve over your favorite pasta.
Refrigerate: Once the sauce has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave and serve over your favorite pasta noodles.
HOW TO PREP AHEAD
Here are a few different tips that will help you prepare this sauce ahead of time:
- Prepare your vegetables ahead of time, by chopping them and storing them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a day or two or freeze until you are ready to make the pasta sauce.
- Measure all of the herbs and spices and place them on the countertop covered with press-n-seal.
- Brown your meat the night before, cool completely, add to an airtight container, and refrigerate for a day or freeze until you are ready to make the sauce.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Yes! You can skip meat altogether and add more vegetables. You could also add some lentils or beans for some protein.
Yes, you can adjust all the spices in this recipe to add more spice or less, depending on how you like your sauce. Always start with a smaller amount and then adjust as it cooks by gradually adding more.
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Easy Semi-Homemade Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 onion
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1.5 lb ground beef extra lean
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup fresh vegetables finely chopped, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, etc.
- 1 796 mL diced tomatoes in Italian spices
- 2 jars 650 mL of red pasta sauce like sweet basil marinara
- 1 156 mL tomato paste can
- 2 tbsp brown sugar firmly packed
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup of hot boiling starchy water from pasta noodles
Instructions
- In a large skillet or in your all-in-one crock pot, sautee onion, and garlic in olive oil until the onions begin to caramelize on medium heat. About 4 minutes.
- Add your meat, stirring occasionally, and break it apart as it cooks. Cook until juices run clear and meat is cooked through.
- While your meat cooks, finely chop your vegetables.
- Once the meat is cooked add in fresh vegetables, and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until vegetables become tender.
- Prepare canned and jarred goods by removing the lids.
- Add pasta sauces, paste, tomatoes, brown sugar, red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning in the crokcpot, followed by the meat (if cooked on the stovetop).
- Set the crock pot to 4 hours on low heat or simmer on the stovetop for 1.5 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once ready, prepare your noodles of choice by cooking them el dente.
- Once your pasta noodles are cooked, carefully remove 1/2 cup of hot boiling starchy pasta water straight from the pot to your pasta sauce and stir it in.
- Plate your noodles and add the pasat sauce on top.
- Garnish the pasta dish with parmesan cheese, parsley and/or red pepper flakes.
I love how easy this recipe is and tasty! My grandkids really enjoyed it!
So glad to hear that your grandkids enjoy this spaghetti sauce! Thanks for the feedback! 🙂
This recipe is so tasty!!!!
So glad to hear 🙂
I love a good crockpot recipe and this one was a hit. Lots for leftovers too.
Leftovers are the best… turn it into baked spaghetti 🙂
This sauce is so tasty and convenient being crockpot made!!