Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce is deliciously rich and easy to make. Italian sausage provides an insanely delicious depth of flavor to this quick homemade sauce.
Only a few simple ingredients are needed to make Aunt Dana’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, and the flavor is out of this world.
I have the best memories of my Aunt Dana’s spaghetti sauce from growing up. That’s why we went to her annual Creative Memories crop day in the first place: the spaghetti! We literally can’t wait for this dinner—we can smell the sauce cooking in the crock pot all day. It’s so good!
This is a must-try recipe that’s easy to make. It makes a lot, so if you’re serving a small group or family, I recommend halving the recipe.
What’s great about this spaghetti dish is how simple it is to make. The taste comes from the Italian sausage in the sauce.
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian-American dish that is beloved by many. But what about spaghetti with Italian sausage sauce? This flavorful sausage variety can add delicious depth and spice to a simple tomato sauce. However, a common question is – can you cook raw Italian sausage in spaghetti sauce?
The short answer is yes. With the right techniques, raw Italian sausage can be cooked directly in the sauce to make a hearty, flavorful pasta topping In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how to properly incorporate raw sausage into your spaghetti sauce and ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat
Overview of Raw Italian Sausage
Raw Italian sausage is an uncooked sausage usually made from a mixture of ground pork, spices like fennel seed, garlic, paprika and pepper. It comes in two main forms:
- Links – long cylindrical shaped sausages
- Bulk – ground sausage meat without casing
Both link and bulk Italian sausage varieties must reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F before they are considered fully cooked and safe to consume,
Benefits of Cooking Raw Sausage in Sauce
There are a few advantages to cooking raw Italian sausage right in the spaghetti sauce:
- Infuses sauce with sausage flavor
- Saves time over cooking separately
- Allows sausage to absorb sauce flavors
- Minimizes dishes to wash
As long as the sausage is cooked thoroughly, this method is perfectly safe. The key is properly monitoring temperature and cooking times.
Tips for Cooking Raw Sausage in Sauce
Follow these tips for safely and successfully cooking raw Italian sausage in spaghetti sauce:
- Break up sausage links into bite-size pieces.
- Add sausage to sauce when simmering.
- Completely submerge sausage in sauce.
- Use a digital thermometer to monitor temp.
- Cook for 30-45 minutes until sausage reaches 160°F.
- Stir sauce frequently to prevent scorching on bottom.
- Add extra sauce ingredients like wine, tomatoes, herbs.
- Let sauce simmer at least 5 minutes after sausage is cooked.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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In a large pot or Dutch oven, begin simmering your favorite tomato-based spaghetti sauce over medium heat.
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Add raw Italian sausage links or bulk sausage meat to the pot. Break up links into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon.
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Ensure all sausage pieces are fully submerged in the simmering sauce. This prevents uneven cooking.
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Let the sauce come back up to a simmer then reduce heat to medium-low to maintain gentle bubbling.
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Cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring frequently. Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temp of sausage pieces.
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Continue cooking until sausage registers 160°F throughout. If using link sausages, check temperature in center and both ends.
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Once sausage reaches 160°F, let sauce simmer for 5+ minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
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Serve sauce over cooked pasta, garlic bread for a flavorful Italian sausage spaghetti dinner.
Extra Tips for Safety
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Always use fresh, high-quality sausage. Do not use sausage that is past expiration date.
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Cook sauce at a low simmer – high heat can cause scorching before sausage is done.
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Do not rely on visual cues alone. Use a thermometer to confirm safe temp.
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Let sauce rest at least 5 minutes after cooking – residual heat will finish cooking sausage.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat thoroughly before serving again.
Customizing Your Italian Sausage Spaghetti
Part of the fun of cooking raw sausage in tomato sauce is experimenting with flavors. Consider these tasty mix-ins:
- Sliced bell peppers and onions
- Fresh garlic and basil
- Sprinkling of red pepper flakes
- Splash of red or white wine
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Spinach or kale
The possibilities are endless for crafting your own signature sausage spaghetti sauce!
Perfect Pasta Pairings
While spaghetti may be the most obvious pairing, any shape of pasta pairs nicely with Italian sausage sauce. Consider these options:
- Penne or rigatoni – short tubes catch sauce perfectly
- Fettuccine or pappardelle – wide noodles stand up to thick sauce
- Farfalle – the “bow tie” shape holds sauce in crevices
- Campanelle or conchiglie – curly or shell shapes add visual appeal
Any pasta variety can be topped with your flavorful sausage sauce. Just make sure to save a little to dip your garlic bread in!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put raw Italian sausage links in the sauce?
Yes, you can add raw sausage links directly to sauce. Break up into smaller pieces before simmering in sauce until fully cooked.
Do you have to brown Italian sausage before adding to sauce?
It’s not necessary to brown or pre-cook sausage before adding to sauce. Browning adds nice color but won’t affect safety or taste.
How do you know when sausage in sauce is fully cooked?
Use an instant-read thermometer to check sausage pieces have reached the minimum safe internal temperature of 160°F. This ensures it is properly cooked.
Can you use a slow cooker for sausage sauce?
Absolutely – just cook on low setting for 4-6 hours until sausage is fully cooked, checking temperature toward end of cooking time.
The Takeaway on Cooking Raw Sausage in Sauce
With the proper temperature monitoring and cooking times, raw Italian sausage can be simmered right in the spaghetti sauce for a quick and flavorful one-pot meal. By following food safety guidelines, you’ll enjoy tender, delicious sausage sauce without the hassle of cooking the sausage separately. Get ready to make your new favorite spaghetti night recipe!
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How to make crock pot Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce
To make the sauce, put tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried parsley, sweet fennel, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar in your crock pot. Add salt & pepper and white wine to taste. Stir all ingredients together until they are well combined.
When you add the Italian sausages to the sauce, don’t cut them up until they’re done cooking.
Turn the crockpot to high and cook the sauce for 4-6 hours. Once the sausages are tender, remove them from the sauce and cut them into 1-inch chunks. See the example below:
Finally, add the sausage pieces back into the sauce and turn the slow cooker to low. Let it simmer until you’re ready to serve. You can either dish this up immediately or wait another hour before shifting the crock pot to warm.
My favorite kitchen tools used to make Aunt Dana’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce:
This post may contain affiliate links. See my Full Disclosure for further details.
SLOW COOKER: I prefer my slow cooker to have a timer. This is because I always somehow forget about it. So having a timer and a lid that locks are two essential things for me when purchasing a slow cooker.
COOKING UTENSILS: A nice set of cooking utensils is essential for many of my recipes.