Slow-Cooked Crockpot Ragu Sauce – Home Cooking Adventure

By Editor On Feb 7, 2025

Rich, hearty, and bursting with flavor, this slow-cooked crockpot ragu sauce is the perfect way to bring an authentic Italian-inspired meal to your table with minimal effort. Made in the crockpot, this sauce simmers for hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully into a deep, savory delight.

The sauce begins with sautéed onions and garlic, cooked alongside the ground beef, pork, or a combination of both, to develop deep, savory flavors. Carrots and celery are added directly to the crockpot, where they slowly soften and blend into the sauce. Italian herbs bring warmth, while crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a splash of wine enhance the depth of flavor. Slow cooking makes the meat incredibly tender, absorbing all the fragrant, slow-simmered goodness.

This crockpot ragu pairs beautifully with pappardelle, tagliatelle, or your favorite pasta, making it a comforting, restaurant-quality dish at home. Perfect for busy days, the slow cooker does the work while you enjoy the aroma of an Italian classic filling your kitchen.

Depending on the size of your crockpot, make a big batch and freeze leftovers for an easy, delicious meal anytime. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan and crusty bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.

How to make crockpot ragu sauce

Begin by heating oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened while stirring constantly.

Next, add the ground beef and pork. Cook until the meat changes color, breaking up any lumps with a spoon.

Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits for extra flavor. If preferred, you can skip the wine.

Meanwhile, prepare the slow cooker. Chop the carrots and celery and place them at the bottom of the crockpot.

Transfer the cooked meat and onion mixture into the crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients, including tomato purée, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaves, and sugar (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours on LOW, allowing the flavors to develop into a rich, hearty sauce.

Serve over pasta or as desired. Hope you will give it a try, and if you do, don’t forget to share the photos with me on Instagram. Cheers!

Other recipes you may like to try

Try this comforting Lasagna recipe, a layered Italian classic with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese, baked to perfection.

This recipe for Spaghetti with Baked Meatballs features juicy, flavorful meatballs simmered in a savory tomato sauce, served over a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti.

This Spaghetti Pie is a delicious twist on classic pasta featuring a spaghetti crust filled with cheese and meat tomato sauce, perfect for any occasion.