You will LOVE this easy homemade crock pot marinara sauce recipe! This robust, hearty garden marinara is chock full of chopped vegetables, garlic, and herbs. Dump in all the ingredients, set it, and forget it until dinner time- bonus: it's loaded with vegetables, so it is healthy and full of nutrients!
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Why You'll Love This Crockpot Marinara
Delectable Marinara! Nothing beats homemade marinara sauce for all your Italian favorites! Chocked full of vegetables like onions, peppers, carrots, garlic, tomatoes and herbs- so yummy!
Effortless Recipe. You will love this recipe because you literally put all of your ingredients in the slow cooker and stir. Let it cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, and enjoy it with spaghetti, lasagna, or any of your other favorites.
Healthy. This recipe is super healthy from all of the vegetables-- full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Low-carb, keto-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free for all your dietary needs!
Marinara Sauce Recipe Slow Cooker Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this slow cooker marinara sauce:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes
- Garlic: mince your garlic fresh, or use store-bought pre-minced garlic for ease.
- Fresh Vegetables: onion, celery, green bell pepper, and carrots.
- Seasonings: ground black pepper and kosher salt.
- Herbs: dried oregano, dried basil, dried bay leaves.
- Optional: add sugar to taste to balance the tanginess of the tomatoes.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
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PinSubstitutions and Variations
- Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes.
- Use fresh herbs if desired--use 1 tablespoon of minced fresh herbs in place of each teaspoon of dried herbs. You can add more to taste.
- Use an immersion blender to blend if you prefer your marinara to be less chunky.
- Add diced tomatoes to your sauce if you want it extra chunky.
- Add a drizzle or two of balsamic vinegar to add a salty, tangy flavor.
- Add cooked protein to the sauce such as ground beef, turkey, or sliced smoked sausage.
How To Make Marinara Sauce in Slow Cooker
This is intended as an overview only. For detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below. Enjoy!
1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir.
2. Cover and cook on low until done.
3. Remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning to taste. Add sugar if it is too tangy.
How to Use It
Serve this pasta sauce over your favorite pasta, or use it in these crockpot recipes.
- Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Italian Sausage and Peppers Crockpot Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe
- Easy Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe
Meal idea! Pair with this homemade slow cooker marinara sauce with any cooked pasta and serve with your favorite garlic bread, french bread, or breadsticks. A small fresh side salad is a great way to round out your meal!
Tips
- This is a chunkier sauce; use an immersion blender to blend the sauce if you prefer it smoother.
- To add some kick add red pepper flakes. Start with a little as the flavor and spice becomes more intense as it slow cookers. You can always add more later.
- Add brown sugar or regular sugar to round out the flavor if your sauce is on the tangy side from the tomatoes.
FAQ's
Allow to cool, then transfer to an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months in an air-tight container.
Reheat your sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover to prevent splattering. Microwave in 30-second increments on 50% power until the desired temperature is met.
You can also reheat your sauce in a pot on the stove. Stir often to prevent burning and heat until your desired temperature is met.
From frozen: pull from the freezer the day before you want to use it and put it in the fridge to thaw. Follow the instructions above to reheat.
Yes! You sure can freeze your leftover marinara sauce. Once it's cool transfer it to an air-tight container. I like to date the container using a piece of tape and write the date it was put in the freezer. It stores well for up to 3 months.
Typically, homemade marinara sauce is good for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container.
Yes, it is. Typically marinara sauce is just a meatless pasta sauce. Spaghetti sauce is usually a pasta sauce with protein, such as ground beef for a meat spaghetti sauce.
These are basically the same thing and the terms are used interchangeably. as marinara sauce is a type of pasta sauce. The main difference between the two is that marinara sauce is a thinner, simpler tomato-based sauce. Pasta sauce may have more ingredients, a little spice, and is thicker because it is usually cooked for longer.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion (finely chopped)
- 2 stalks of celery (finely chopped)
- 1 green bell pepper (finely chopped)
- 2 carrots (peeled and finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- optional: sugar to taste to balance the tanginess of the tomatoes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours.
- Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. If the sauce is too tangy, add a little sugar.
Notes
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes; use 1 tablespoon of minced fresh herbs in place of each teaspoon of dried herbs - add more to taste.
- TIPS: This is a chunkier sauce; use an immersion blender to blend the sauce if you prefer it smoother.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve over your favorite pasta or use in these crockpot recipes:
Nutrition
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