Some nights just call for a warm bowl of pasta topped with a hearty, homemade sauce. Enter my slow cooker beef pasta sauce, which is rich, meaty, and full of flavor. This recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for good reason: it’s simple to make, feeds a crowd, and the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day.
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Slow Cooker Beef Pasta Sauce Recipe
- What You’ll Need for this Slow Cooker Recipe
- FAQs: Storing, Serving, Substitutions
- Slow Cooker Beef Pasta Sauce Recipe
Why I Love This Recipe
This slow cooker beef pasta sauce has everything I look for in comfort food:
- The best flavors with minimal effort – Browning the beef and sautéing the onions and garlic are the only “hands-on” steps. The rest is a set-it-and-forget-it situation, which in my home is heavily preferred!
- Slow-cooked perfection – The low-and-slow cooking time lets the flavors meld into a sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stovetop all day.
- Family-friendly and versatile – Serve it over spaghetti, toss it with rigatoni, or layer it into a lasagna. The possibilities are endless!
If you’ve ever thought jarred marinara was good enough, trust me, this recipe takes it to the next level, without the hassle of making something completely from scratch! If you love this recipe, you’ll also love my other slow cooker recipes: BBQ pulled chicken, birria tacos, and braised beef in red wine sauce!
What You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Beef Pasta Sauce
The ingredient list is simple and straightforward, but together, they create magic:
- Ground beef – 1 lb. of hearty, flavorful ground beef is the base for this sauce.
- Marinara sauce and tomatoes – A jar of marinara and a can of crushed or diced tomatoes make this sauce rich and saucy.
- Tomato paste – Adds depth and a concentrated tomato flavor.
- Brown sugar – Balances the acidity of the tomatoes with just a touch of sweetness.
- White onion and garlic – These aromatics are sautéed to create the flavor foundation.
- Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes – The perfect seasoning blend for a robust, Italian-inspired sauce.
- Oil for cooking – Just a little to sauté the onion and garlic.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Pasta Sauce
Making this sauce is incredibly easy. Here’s how to do it:
- In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Using the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the diced onion until it’s soft and translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute, just until fragrant.
- In your slow cooker, combine the browned beef, sautéed onion and garlic, jar of marinara, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, and all the seasonings (Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes). Stir everything together until well mixed.
- Set the slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Stir occasionally if you’re home, but it’s not necessary. The long, slow cooking process will develop incredible depth of flavor.
FAQs: Storing, Serving, and Substitutions
This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags.
Absolutely! Try ground turkey, pork, or even a blend of meats for a different flavor profile.
Any pasta works, but I love it with spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni. It’s also amazing as a base for baked ziti or lasagna.
Sure! Omit the meat and add diced vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a hearty, veggie-packed sauce.
Slow Cooker Beef Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 jar of marinara sauce
- 28 oz. can crushed or diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- oil for cooking
- 1 white onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Using the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the diced onion until it’s soft and translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute, just until fragrant.
- In your slow cooker, combine the browned beef, sautéed onion and garlic, jar of marinara, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, and all the seasonings (Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes). Stir everything together until well mixed.
- Set the slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Stir occasionally if you’re home, but it’s not necessary. The long, slow cooking process will develop incredible depth of flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level: If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the red pepper flakes or add a splash of hot sauce.
- Thicker sauce?: If you want the sauce thicker, leave the lid off the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Make it your own: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a splash of red wine for an extra layer of flavor.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment below!
You may also love my other recipes:
Putting this in the slow cooker is a game changer! I’ve tried it both way multiple times now and the slow cooker definitely makes a huge difference.