Savory Slow-Cooked Italian Spaghetti Sauce
This Savory Slow-Cooked Italian Spaghetti Sauce is a timeless family recipe that combines the rich flavors of Italian sausage with a medley of fragrant herbs and spices. Cooked to perfection in a slow cooker, this sauce deepens in flavor over hours, making it a delightful meal for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. The combination of tangy tomatoes and savory sausage creates a hearty sauce that's sure to satisfy. Serve it over your favorite spaghetti with a side salad and some crispy garlic toast for an unforgettable meal the whole family will love!
10
Servings
380
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
bulk Italian sausage
1 lb (removed from casing)
medium onion
1 (chopped)
diced tomatoes
2 (14 1/2 ounce cans) (undrained)
tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce can)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce can)
bay leaf
1
brown sugar
1 tablespoon
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (or 4 garlic cloves, minced)
dried basil
2 teaspoons
dried oregano
2 teaspoons
salt
1 teaspoon
dried thyme
1/2-1 teaspoon
spaghetti
1 lb (cooked according to package instructions)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, cook the bulk Italian sausage and chopped onion over medium heat until the sausage is browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
2
Transfer the cooked sausage and onions to a slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, tomato paste, bay leaf, brown sugar, garlic (powder or minced), dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and dried thyme. Stir well to combine.
3
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours, allowing the sauce to simmer and the flavors to meld together.
4
Once cooked, discard the bay leaf. While the sauce is finishing, prepare the spaghetti according to package instructions, then drain.
5
Serve the sauce generously over the spaghetti and enjoy with a fresh salad and garlic toast.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
40g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Slow-Cooked Italian Spaghetti Sauce?
It is a timeless family recipe that combines Italian sausage with a medley of fragrant herbs and spices, slow-cooked to deepen its flavors.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 380 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 20g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of the sauce?
The recipe provides 15g of protein per serving.
What kind of meat is used in this sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of bulk Italian sausage, removed from casing.
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be chopped before cooking.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should use two 14.5-ounce cans of diced tomatoes and keep them undrained.
How much tomato sauce is required?
You will need one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
How much tomato paste is needed?
The recipe requires one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?
Yes, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder with 4 minced garlic cloves.
How much dried basil is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
How much dried oregano is needed?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of dried oregano.
What amount of salt should be added?
You should add 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much dried thyme is included?
The recipe uses between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
How much spaghetti should I prepare?
You should use 1 lb of spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions.
What is the first step in preparing the sauce?
The first step is to brown the Italian sausage and chopped onion in a large skillet until no longer pink.
How long do I cook the sausage and onion in the skillet?
It takes about 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat.
What do I do after browning the meat?
Drain any excess fat and transfer the sausage and onions to a slow cooker.
How long does the sauce cook on the low setting?
On the low heat setting, the sauce should cook for 8 hours.
How long does the sauce cook on the high setting?
On the high heat setting, the sauce should cook for 4 to 5 hours.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
You should add it during the slow cooker stage and discard it once cooking is finished.
What side dishes are recommended?
The recipe suggests serving the sauce and spaghetti with a fresh salad and garlic toast.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients.
What tags are associated with this dish?
Tags include spaghetti, italian sauce, slow cooker, family recipe, hearty meal, pasta sauce, comfort food, and easy dinner.
Can this be considered a one-pot meal?
While it requires browning in a skillet first, it is tagged as a one-pot and slow cooker recipe for easy cleanup.
What makes the flavor deep and savory?
The combination of tangy tomatoes, savory sausage, and a long simmering time allows the flavors to meld together.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a timeless family recipe that is a delightful meal for gatherings or weeknight dinners.