Easy Crock-Pot Spaghetti Sauce

This is the sauce that fills your house with the smell of Sunday dinner at grandma’s, but it practically makes itself.

Browning the beef and onions first builds a flavorful base, then the slow cooker does the hard work of melding tomatoes, herbs, and that secret ingredient: brown sugar.

The sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes without making the sauce taste sweet, creating a rounded, complex flavor that tastes like it simmered all day (because it did).

Make a double batch and freeze half for the easiest weeknight dinner you’ll ever pull together.

Chef Tips

• Drain ground beef thoroughly after browning to avoid greasy sauce
• Use a combination of tomato sauce, paste, and whole tomatoes for complex texture
• Don’t lift the lid during cooking or you’ll release heat and extend cooking time
• Freeze in portion-sized containers for quick future meals

Variations

• Add Italian sausage along with the ground beef
• Stir in sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers with the tomatoes
• Use ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version
• Add a splash of red wine with the tomatoes for extra depth