Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce Recipe

Let me share with you how I stumbled upon an ultimate slow-cooked pasta sauce that’s not just a meal but an experience—complete with the rich aromas of garlic, basil, and a splash of red wine magic. 🍝✨

There is no contest when it comes to my affection for an old family recipe: Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce. This sauce, with its combination of juicy Italian sausage, savory ground beef, and aromatic garlic and onion, simmers to perfection.

I raise and lower the heat as necessary over the course of several hours, and I can count on it being done right when it’s time to serve—a perfect sauce for a pasta-loving family. The flavor of the sauce develops beautifully, so much so that it barely needs the addition of a side salad for a wholesome meal.

Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Olive oil: Rich in healthy fats, adds smoothness and depth.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor; contains beneficial antioxidants.
• Italian sausage: Adds spice, protein; enhances the sauce’s savory profile.
• Ground beef: Adds protein and heartiness, essential for a meaty sauce.
• Crushed tomatoes: Base ingredient; provides acidity and natural sweetness.
• Red wine: Deepens flavor complexity with a slight tartness.
• Dried basil: Contributes a sweet, herbal aroma, balancing other spices.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Introduces subtle heat, enhancing overall warmth.

Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 can (14 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/3 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

How to Make this Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce Recipe

1. In a big skillet heated on medium, pour in olive oil. When the oil is hot, add onion that has been roughly chopped and cook until softened. This will take about 5 minutes. Stir in some garlic that has been minced and cook for another minute.

2. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until brown, breaking up the meat with a spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat and transfer the meat mixture to a slow cooker.

3. Add to the slow cooker, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, and red wine (if using). Stir to combine.

4. Combine the sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes.

5. Put the bay leaf on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Put the lid on the slow cooker and set it to low. Let the sauce cook for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a hurry, cook it on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours. The flavors will have mingled nicely by then, and in my opinion, the sauce will be a bit thicker than if you had used the low setting the whole time.

7. After you have finished cooking, take out the bay leaf from the sauce and throw it away.

8. Sample the sauce and alter the seasoning, if necessary, by adding more salt or pepper.

9. The sauce should be served over the pasta that you like the most, and you might want to consider using fresh basil leaves as garnish.

10. Before serving, add a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Now eat your pasta sauce.

Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet
2. Slow cooker
3. Cutting board
4. Chef’s knife
5. Wooden spoon or spatula
6. Measuring spoons
7. Measuring cups
8. Can opener
9. Colander (for draining fat)
10. Ladle (for serving)

FAQ

• Can I make this sauce without the sausage?You can indeed replace the Italian sausage with extra ground beef or opt for ground turkey to lighten things up.
• Is the red wine necessary for the sauce?Red wine is not required. It adds depth of flavor, but you can get along perfectly well without it. And if you want the flavor profile to be identical, you can replace it with beef broth.
• How long should I slow cook the sauce for?To achieve optimal results, prepare the sauce on a low setting for 6-8 hours or a high setting for 3-4 hours.
• Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried ones?Of course. When using fresh herbs, increase the quantity by three times because fresh herbs have less concentration.
• What is the purpose of the sugar in the recipe?Sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.
• Can I freeze the leftovers?Indeed, this sauce does freeze well. Allow it to cool thoroughly, then move it to containers that are airtight and suitable for freezing. You can keep it in the freezer for no longer than 3 months.
• How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too watery?Permit it to remain on a low flame and uncovered, for half an hour to a full hour, if it is desired to reduce and thicken.

Slow Cooked Sunday Pasta Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Substitute the following:
1 pound ground turkey in place of 1 pound ground beef.
2 tablespoons of any flavorful oil, like canola or sunflower, instead of 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh thyme can replace 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
1 tablespoon of honey instead of 1 tablespoon of sugar
A substitute for 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes is 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Pro Tips

1. Brown for Flavor When browning the sausage and ground beef, take the time to let them develop a deep brown crust. This adds a rich umami flavor to the sauce and enhances its overall taste.

2. Wine for Depth If you opt to use the red wine, deglaze the skillet after browning the meat before transferring everything to the slow cooker. This step allows you to scrape up any browned bits from the pan, adding even more depth to your sauce.

3. Herb Infusion For a more pronounced herbal flavor, consider lightly crushing the dried herbs with your fingers before adding them. This helps release their oils and maximizes their flavor infusion into the sauce.

4. Finishing Touch Just before serving, stir in a handful of freshly chopped basil for a burst of fresh flavor. The heat from the sauce will gently wilt the basil, adding a lovely aroma and taste.

5. Cheese Enhancement Toss a rind of Parmesan cheese into the slow cooker as the sauce simmers. It will melt into the sauce, adding a subtle, nutty depth. Remember to remove whatever remains of the rind before serving.