Imagine filling your home with the irresistible aroma of a rich, zesty marinara sauce that tastes like it was crafted by an Italian grandmother - without spending hours in the kitchen! This crockpot marinara recipe is about to revolutionize your cooking game, transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering sauce that will have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy home cook or a culinary enthusiast, this foolproof recipe guarantees restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all the ingredients. You will need 2 cans of crushed tomatoes, 1 chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of dried basil, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it burn. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
- Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic into the crockpot. Add the two cans of crushed tomatoes to the crockpot, ensuring to scrape any remaining bits from the skillet into the sauce for added flavor.
- Sprinkle in the dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- After 4 hours, check the sauce for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or add a little more sugar if desired for balance.
- Once the sauce is to your liking, turn off the crockpot. You can serve the marinara sauce immediately over your favorite pasta, or let it cool and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for later use.
Tips
- For the most robust flavor, use high-quality crushed tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are ideal if you can find them.
- Don't rush the sautéing process for onions and garlic - this step builds the foundational flavor of your sauce.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree after cooking.
- For a deeper flavor profile, consider adding a Parmesan cheese rind during slow cooking.
- The sauce can be easily customized - add red pepper flakes for heat or a splash of red wine for complexity.
- This marinara freezes beautifully in portion-sized containers for quick future meals.
- Always taste and adjust seasonings at the end of cooking to ensure perfect balance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 80kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
