Crock Pot Marinara Sauce

Transform your pasta night with this rich, slow-cooked Crock Pot Marinara Sauce, a foolproof recipe brimming with homemade flavor and convenience. Made with aromatic garlic, sweet onions, robust crushed tomatoes, and a perfect blend of dried Italian herbs, this sauce simmers to perfection right in your slow cooker, letting the flavors deepen over six effortless hours. A hint of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while optional red pepper flakes add a touch of spice. Whether you prefer a chunky or smooth texture, this versatile marinara sauce is easily customizable and pairs beautifully with pasta, serves as a pizza base, or elevates your favorite Italian dishes. With minimal prep time and freezer-friendly storage options, it’s a must-have recipe for busy weeknights and meal prep enthusiasts alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:370 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 1.5 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, then sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove from heat.

Step 3

In your crock pot, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sautéed onion and garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).

Step 4

Stir everything together until well mixed.

Step 5

Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to low heat.

Step 6

Cook the marinara sauce on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or sugar if needed.

Step 8

Once the sauce is finished cooking, you can blend it with an immersion blender for a smoother texture, or leave it chunky if you prefer.

Step 9

Serve immediately over pasta, as a pizza base, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1134.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	644.5

Total Fat 30.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2538.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 88.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.1g	0%
Total Sugars 52.9g
Protein 16.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 277.9mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 3682.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.7%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 50.9%