Slow Cooker Beef Pasta Sauce
This slow cooker beef pasta sauce is a rich, hearty, and flavorful addition to any pasta dish. Made with ground beef, marinara, tomatoes, and a blend of savory spices, it’s the perfect comfort food for busy days. Let your slow cooker do the work while you enjoy a sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. Serve it over your favorite pasta, and you’ve got a family-friendly dinner everyone will love!
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.