We all have tried a variety of pasta sauces over the years, but trust me, this pasta sauce recipe made in the slow cooker will definitely become one of your favorites. Made with simple ingredients like yellow onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and butter, and yields around 8 servings.

Making this pasta sauce in the slow cooker is easy. Simply chop 1 onion, mince 4 cloves of garlic, then combine with two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes and 4 tablespoons of butter in the slow cooker, stirring well before cooking.

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Is it worth it to make this pasta sauce at home?

Making this pasta sauce at home is definitely worth it. Not only does it allow you to control the quality and freshness of the ingredients, but homemade sauce often tastes better and is more cost-effective than store-bought versions.

Can I add meat to the sauce?

Yes, you can add meat to this sauce to create a richer, heartier meal. Brown 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage in a skillet, drain the fat, and add it to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.

Slow Cooker Tomato Pasta Sauce Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized yellow onion
• 4 cloves of garlic
• Two cans of crushed tomatoes, each 28 ounces
• One 6-ounce can of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of dried basil
• 1.5 teaspoons of dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon of salt, or adjust to your taste

How To Make Slow Cooker Tomato Pasta Sauce

1. Prep Your Veggies: Begin by finely chopping one yellow onion and mincing four cloves of garlic.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the chopped onion and minced garlic into a slow cooker (make sure it’s at least 3 quarts in size). Add in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and butter.
3. Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients together until they’re well combined.
4. Cook: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to cook on high for four hours or on low for eight hours.
5. Season to Perfection: Once the cooking time is up, stir the sauce thoroughly. Now, it’s time to season with salt. Begin with a half teaspoon, taste, and then add more if needed.
6. Serve or Store: Your Slow Cooker Tomato Pasta Sauce is now ready, you can use it immediately, refrigerate it for later use, or even freeze it.

Recipe Tips

• Enhancing Flavor: For a deeper tomato flavor, consider roasting the tomato paste in a skillet until slightly darkened before adding it to the slow cooker. This caramelizes the sugars in the paste, enriching the sauce’s overall taste.
• Sauce Thickness: If the sauce is too thin after cooking, remove the lid and cook on high for an additional 30-60 minutes to reduce and thicken the sauce. This concentrates the flavors and achieves a desirable consistency.
• Freezing Tips: Freeze the sauce in portion-sized freezer bags laid flat in the freezer. This saves space and makes it easier to thaw exactly the amount you need for a meal, reducing waste and ensuring convenience.
• Herb Freshness: For a fresher, more vibrant herb flavor, add an additional tablespoon of fresh basil or oregano in the last 30 minutes of cooking. Fresh herbs added at the end retain more of their flavor and aroma, enhancing the sauce’s freshness.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Tomato Pasta Sauce: Add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce before cooking to introduce a warm, spicy kick that complements the rich tomato flavor, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals.
• Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk after the sauce has finished cooking for a luxurious, creamy texture that adds a decadent twist to the classic sauce.
• Meaty Tomato Pasta Sauce: Brown 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage in a skillet and drain the fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
• Veggie-Loaded Tomato Pasta Sauce: Add 1 cup of diced bell peppers, 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, and 1 cup of spinach to the sauce before cooking.

What To Serve With Tomato Pasta

You may serve your Tomato Pasta with garlic bread, sautéed zucchini, Brussels sprouts salad, pull-apart garlic bread, or grilled Caesar salad for a balanced and delightful meal.

How To Store Tomato Pasta Sauce

In The Fridge:

Store the tomato pasta sauce in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Ensure the sauce has cooled to room temperature before sealing and placing it in the fridge.

In The Freezer:

Tomato pasta sauce freezes well. Pour the cooled sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. It can be stored for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How To Reheat Tomato Pasta Sauce

Reheat your Tomato Pasta Sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. This should take about 5-10 minutes; or simply microwave it in a suitable container, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly heated.

Check out More Slow Cooker Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Green Tomato Chutney
• Slow Cooker Chicken And Leek Pie
• Slow Cooker Tuna Pasta Bake