Elevate your spaghetti game with this meaty slow cooker sauce. Bursting with savory flavors from lean beef and Italian sausage, it’s a pasta lover’s dream.
1 pound Italian sausage (bulk or remove from casings)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 14.5-ounce cans tomatoes, diced, undrained
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 small bay leaves
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste, optional
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, sausage, and Italian seasoning and cook, breaking up and stirring for 7 to 9 minutes until browned and no longer pink; transfer to the slow cooker.
Add the onions to the same skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened and aromatic. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer; transfer to the slow cooker.
Add the crushed and diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Cover and cook the sauce on low for 5 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Check about halfway through and add a splash of broth, red wine, or water if too thick.