Slow Cooker Sausage Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

4.54 from 15 votes

Now that I've begun making my spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker, I don't think I'll ever use the stovetop again!

Prep Time15

Cook Time8

Total Time8 15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: crock pot pasta sauce, sausage spaghetti sauce, slow cooker spaghetti sauce

Servings:

2 pounds sweet Italian Chicken sausage (Substitute turkey sausage if it's easier to find)
1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
1/2 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced (I used jarred)
2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

Ideal slow cooker size: 5- to 6-Quart. (I used my InstantPot.)
Cook the chicken sausage in a large skillet set over medium heat, until crumbled and slightly browned.
Add the garlic, onion and bell pepper if using and cook, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes or until the onion softens slightly.
Scrape the sausage mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings. Stir to combine. (My crushed tomatoes were really thick, so I also added 1 cup of water.)
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

Serving size: 1/2 cup

WW Points: 1

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2 SmartPoints (Green plan)

2 SmartPoints (Blue plan)

2 SmartPoints (Purple plan)

2 PointsPlus (Old plan)2

Variations:

Vegetarian/vegan - substitute chopped mushrooms for the sausage.
Different meats - use whatever ground meat you prefer or a combination.
Spicier - add more dried Italian spices (basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme) and pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes.
Chunkier - substitute diced tomatoes for one of the can of crushed.
More veg - add chopped mushroom, more bell pepper, chopped zucchini, etc.