• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Seafood
  • Sides
  • Dessert
The Seasoned Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Disclosure
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » What We're Eating » Spaghetti Meat Sauce {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}

    Spaghetti Meat Sauce {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}

    Published: Jan 21, 2019 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage of Spaghetti Meat Sauce

    This post is sponsored by Redpack Tomatoes.

    Mom's recipe for a hearty and healthy Spaghetti Meat Sauce is always a family favorite! The simple spaghetti sauce can be prepared on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot for a cozy, easy dinner on a chilly night!

    Long overhead image of spaghetti meat sauce dinner with garlic bread on the side

    After a snowy day of sledding or a long day at the office, there's nothing better than coming home to a warm pot of Italian spaghetti meat sauce simmering on the stovetop. This wholesome blend of ground beef, herbs, and the finest Redpack Tomatoes is perfect over a bowl of pasta. Best of all, it's one of the few easy dinner recipes that all 3 of my kids can agree on!

    Front view of bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce

    The Redpack Challenge:

    I'm proud to be partnering with Redpack Tomatoes to share this recipe with you today, because they truly are the best tomatoes! When you're preparing a tomato-based spaghetti sauce, you obviously want to use the most flavorful ingredients. That's why I performed a little experiment to demonstrate exactly why Redpack makes the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world!

    I simply compared a can of Hunt's Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes to a can of Redpack Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes, and the results were instantly obvious...

    Two cans of whole peeled tomatoes

    When I dumped the two different brands of tomatoes into side-by-side trays, the Redpack Tomatoes (below left) were bright red, uniform in size, and completely round and intact. By contrast, the Hunt's tomatoes looked like varying sizes of mush.

    I don't need to be a scientist to decide which brand of tomato I want to use in my mom's easy meat sauce recipe!

    Side by side comparison of Hunts and Red Pack tomatoes

    How do you make the best meat sauce?

    With the best ingredients, a rich, flavorful and simple spaghetti sauce comes together easily!

    First, cook ground beef, onion and garlic in a Dutch oven (or large stockpot) until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off the fat.

    Browned ground beef with onion and garlic in blue Dutch oven

    Next, add the remaining ingredients -- starting with the tomatoes! I used 2 cans of Redpack Crushed Tomatoes, along with Redpack Tomato Paste. This sauce is full of fresh, rich flavor!

    As I mentioned above, I prefer the Redpack tomatoes not only because they offer the best quality on the market, but also because they are family-owned and sustainably grown on Midwest family farms. The tomatoes are steam packed fresh, non-GMO Project Verified and come packed in Non-BPA/BPS lined cans. Love that!

    Cans of Redpack crushed tomatoes

    You'll stir in some red wine,

    Red wine in glass measuring cup

    Italian seasoning and chili powder.

    Italian seasoning and chili powder in glass jars

    Put a lid on your pot and let the stove do the rest of the work! Isn't that easy?

    Tomatoes and seasoning in Dutch oven with ground beef

    The spaghetti meat sauce simmers for about 2-3 hours over very low heat. Stir it occasionally, and be sure that the heat isn't too high. You don't want the sugars in the tomatoes to scorch the bottom of your pot (which will give your sauce a burnt taste).

    Blue Dutch oven full of spaghetti meat sauce with wooden spoon

    How to Make Spaghetti Meat Sauce in the Crock Pot:

    If you prefer to prepare your spaghetti meat sauce recipe in the slow cooker, those instructions are included below. You will simmer the sauce in the Crock Pot on LOW for about 6-8 hours.

    Can you freeze Spaghetti Meat Sauce?

    Yes! This is a perfect freezer meal! The recipe yields a large batch, so store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    How long can Spaghetti Meat Sauce last in the fridge?

    The meat sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Is Spaghetti Meat Sauce healthy?

    Yes! I like to use lean (or extra lean) ground beef, which offers plenty of satisfying protein. The tomatoes and other vegetables that comprise the base of the sauce are full of an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. The tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K.

    This is one of those special recipes that the kids adore, and that you can feel good about serving to your family!

    Overhead image of blue and white bowl full of spaghetti meat sauce garnished with fresh basil and parmesan

    COOK'S TIPS AND RECIPE VARIATIONS:

    • While my mom always prepares this meat sauce with ground beef, you can substitute Italian sausage for half (or all) of the beef called for. If you want a spaghetti meat sauce with ground turkey, simply substitute 2 lbs. of ground turkey for the ground beef.
    • For an even lighter option, try serving your meat sauce over zucchini noodles.
    • My mom makes her spaghetti meat sauce with mushrooms, so feel free to add sliced mushrooms to your pot! I omitted them from my recipe because my kids prefer the sauce without the mushrooms.
    • I like the rich flavor of the spaghetti meat sauce with red wine. Don't worry -- the alcohol cooks off! That said, if you would rather not use wine in this recipe, you can substitute with an equal amount of beef broth.
    • I list "sugar" as an optional ingredient. Sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, so I typically include about 1-2 teaspoons (to taste) when I'm making a pot of sauce.
    • When cooking the sauce on the stovetop, be careful to simmer the sauce over very low heat. Stir occasionally, as well. This will prevent any scorching in the bottom of your pot.

    Twisting spaghetti with meat sauce on a fork

    Other easy spaghetti recipes that you might enjoy:

    • 3-Ingredient Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
    • Dump-and-Bake Chicken Spaghetti
    • Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce
    • 5-Ingredient Amish Easy Baked Spaghetti
    Overhead shot of spaghetti with meat sauce on a plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Spaghetti Meat Sauce {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}

    Mom's recipe for a hearty and healthy Spaghetti Meat Sauce is always a family favorite! The simple spaghetti sauce can be prepared on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot for a cozy, easy dinner on chilly nights!
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword easy meat sauce recipe, spaghetti meat sauce, spaghetti sauce
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 3 hours
    Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
    Servings 9 cups
    Calories 128kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • 1 onion, diced
    • 5 cloves garlic, minced (or about 2 tablespoons bottled minced garlic)
    • 2 lbs. lean ground beef (I used 93% lean, but any variety will work)
    • 2 cans (28 ounces each) Redpack crushed tomatoes
    • 12 ounces Redpack tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
    • 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
    • ¾ cup red wine or substitute with beef broth
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Optional: 1-2 teaspoons sugar
    • For serving: cooked spaghetti; chopped fresh basil; grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    SLOW COOKER:

    • Heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering. Add the onion, garlic and beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off the fat.
    • Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, chili powder and red wine. Cover and cook on LOW for about 6-8 hours. Season with sugar (optional), salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cooked spaghetti and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

    STOVETOP:

    • Heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering. Add the onion, garlic and beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off the fat.
    • Add tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, chili powder and red wine. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours. Season with sugar (optional), salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cooked spaghetti and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

    Notes

    COOK'S TIPS AND RECIPE VARIATIONS:
    • While my mom has always prepared this meat sauce with ground beef, you can substitute Italian sausage for half (or all) of the beef called for. If you want a spaghetti meat sauce with ground turkey, simply substitute 2 lbs. of ground turkey for the ground beef.
    • For an even lighter option, try serving your meat sauce over zucchini noodles.
    • My mom makes her spaghetti meat sauce with mushrooms, so feel free to add sliced mushrooms to your pot! I omitted them from my recipe because my kids prefer the sauce without the mushrooms.
    • I like the rich flavor of the spaghetti meat sauce with red wine. Don't worry -- the alcohol cooks off! That said, if you would rather not use wine in this recipe, you can substitute with an equal amount of beef broth.
    • I list "sugar" as an optional ingredient. Sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, so I typically include about 1-2 teaspoons (to taste) when I'm making a pot of sauce. 
    • When cooking the sauce on the stovetop, be careful to simmer the sauce over very low heat. Stir occasionally, as well. This will prevent any scorching in the bottom of your pot.
    Can you freeze Spaghetti Meat Sauce?
    Yes! This is a perfect freezer meal! The recipe yields a large batch, so store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    How long can Spaghetti Meat Sauce last in the fridge?
    The meat sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 310mg | Potassium: 669mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 685IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 3.3mg
    « Snow Days + Sick Days + Our Week in Meals #114
    Cookies and Cream Protein Shake »

    Follow The Seasoned Mom on Instagram and show us what you're making! Use hashtag #theseasonedmom

    LIKE THIS POST? THEN STICK AROUND!

    GET FREE EMAIL UPDATES WITH EASY, QUICK-PREP RECIPES THAT ELIMINATE MEALTIME STRESS!

    Success! Now before I can send you the free 10-Minute Miracles download, you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. That confirmation email should be waiting for you in your inbox!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    Powered by ConvertKit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dianne

      January 30, 2019 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      Blair this sauce is the BEST. And so easy...this is my new go-to homemade pasta sauce! WOW!

      Reply
      • Blair

        January 31, 2019 at 5:58 am

        Yay! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it as much as we do, Dianne! I want to make another batch now! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Carol

      June 12, 2019 at 11:25 am

      It was very good. I did tweak it a little bit.. I added mushrooms and green peppers. Definitely will make it again but half the Italian seasonings

      Reply
    3. Danielle

      March 19, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      does this thicken up at all my is looking a bit liquidy?

      Reply
      • Blair

        March 19, 2021 at 5:58 pm

        It should be fairly thick. If you want to thicken it up more, you can simmer it longer with the lid off. Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Roger Shoaf

      July 18, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      Cook the pasta a little short of done, combine with the sauce to finish cooking.let it sit while preparing salad and garlic bread.

      Much better than red sauce on white noodles.

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 18, 2021 at 2:25 pm

        Yes, great tip!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Blair!

    Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you'll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It's down-home, country-style cooking!

    Read More

    Want Quick-Prep Recipes?

    Sign up for my exclusive emails and get this free guide!

    Success! Now before I can send you the free 10-Minute Miracles download, you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. That confirmation email should be waiting for you in your inbox!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    No spam guaranteed. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

    © 2017–2022 The Seasoned Mom     About     Privacy