Imagine filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of a rich, authentic Italian tomato sauce that simmers slowly to perfection - without spending hours hovering over the stove! This slow cooker tomato sauce recipe is your ultimate culinary shortcut to creating a versatile, deeply flavored sauce that will transform your pasta dishes, pizzas, and more. Whether you're a busy home cook or a passionate food lover, this foolproof method guarantees restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 8 cups
Ingredients
- 10 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping the onion finely, and mincing the garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions until they become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the onions and garlic.
- Add dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the tomato mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute the herbs and seasonings evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat setting.
- Cook the sauce for 8 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- After cooking, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your preference.
- Allow the sauce to cool slightly before transferring to storage containers or using immediately in your favorite recipes.
- The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor base. San Marzano tomatoes are ideal if available.
- Sautéing the onions and garlic before adding to the slow cooker helps develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Stir the sauce occasionally during cooking to prevent any potential sticking and ensure even heat distribution.
- For a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree after cooking if you prefer less texture.
- Don't rush the cooking process - the long, slow simmer is key to developing rich, concentrated tomato flavor.
- Consider adding a Parmesan rind during cooking for an extra layer of umami depth.
- The sauce freezes beautifully, so don't hesitate to make a large batch and store for future meals.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 45kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
