Thick and Rich Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce simmered low and slow for 8 hours! An easy make ahead meal that makes tons of leftovers!

slow cooker tomato sauce in a crockpot with fresh basil on top

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    Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

    There’s nothing like slow cooked pasta sauce that’s been simmering all day. This homemade spaghetti sauce is loaded with spicy Italian sausage, fire roasted tomatoes and crushed tomatoes. The sauce is simmered low and slow for 8 hours! The sauce gets super thick, rich and loaded with flavor. Cooking the tomato sauce for a long period of time helps to bring out the sweetness in the tomatoes. This really is the best homemade tomato sauce!

    Ingredients

    • Italian Sausage: Hot Italian sausage gives the marinara some spice and a lot of flavor. You can use mild Italian sausage or even ground pork as well!
    • Onions and garlic: Add so much flavor to the sauce.
    • Tomato Paste: Helps to thicken up the marinara sauce.
    • Fire Roasted Tomatoes: I use both fire roasted tomatoes and crushed tomatoes. The fire roasted adds lots of flavor and chunks to the spaghetti sauce.
    • Herbs: Crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, pepper, bay leaves and Italian seasoning.

    How to make Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

    • Brown sausage: Add sausage to a medium skillet and cook until browned. (It does not need to be cooked through, just browned on the outside for extra flavor. You can skip this step if you do not have time.)
    browning sausage and onions in a large skillet
    1. Cook: Add browned sausage, along with the rest of the ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook sauce on low for 8 hours.
    ingredients for tomato sauce added to a white crockpot
    1. Serve: Over pasta with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese for serving, if desired.
    finished tomato sauce in crockpot

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze this sauce?

    Yes! This crockpot tomato sauce freezes really well. Simply store in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months!

    Can I make this on the stove top?

    If you are short on time you can make this sauce on the stove top in less than 30 minutes! Simply brown the sausage then add the tomatoes and spices and simmer for 15-20 minutes. When I am making spaghetti sauce on the stove top I like to add a bit of sugar to mimic the sweetness of cooking the tomatoes all day.

    Variations

    • Vegetarian: To make this dish vegetarian simply omit the meat!
    • Add more veggies: To make this dish healthier try adding chopped carrots, celery or bell peppers!
    • Different protein: Ground beef or chuck can be added to make a ragu! Both would do really well cooked for a long time over low heat.
    • Add more heat: If you like your marinara sauce on the spicier side add in some more crushed red pepper flakes.
    • Make it creamy: To make a blush sauce add a couple splashes of heavy cream right before serving.
    overhead shot of spaghetti topped with homemade slow cooker tomato sauce

    Ways to use this Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

    Here are some more Slow Cooker Recipes to try!

    Recipe

    Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

    5 from 3 votes
    Thick and Rich Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce simmered low and slow for 8 hours! A quick and easy make ahead meal that makes tons of leftovers!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
    Serves 6 -8
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      Ingredients 

      • 1 tbsp olive oil
      • 16 ounces sausage, I used hot sausage
      • 1 large onion, diced
      • 5 cloves garlic, minced
      • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
      • 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
      • 2 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
      • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
      • 2 sprigs fresh oregano
      • 2 whole bay leaves
      • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
      • 1/2 tsp salt
      • 1/2 tsp pepper
      • fresh basil for serving, if desired
      • fresh parmesan cheese for serving, if desired

      Instructions

      • Heat olive oil a large skillet over high heat.
        Add sausage and onions and cook until browned. (It does not need to be cooked through, just browned on the outside for extra flavor. You can skip this step if you do not have time.)
        Add in garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
      • Add browned sausage, along with the rest of the ingredients to a slow cooker.
      • Cook sauce on low for 8 hours.
        Serve over pasta with basil and parmesan cheese for serving, if desired.

      Nutrition Information

      Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 11gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 679mgPotassium: 187mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 106IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

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