Crock Pot Marinara Sauce Vegetarian and Fat Free
Transform your weeknight dinners with this easy, flavor-packed Crock Pot Marinara Sauce that's completely vegetarian and fat-free! Made with wholesome ingredients like canned tomatoes, fresh garlic, and a touch of carrot for natural sweetness, this slow-cooked sauce is rich, aromatic, and irresistibly satisfying. The hands-off magic of the crock pot ensures all the flavors—from earthy oregano and thyme to a hint of optional red pepper flakes—meld beautifully over eight hours, creating the ultimate homemade marinara. Perfectly versatile, it pairs effortlessly with pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce, while being a healthier, guilt-free alternative to store-bought varieties. This make-ahead-friendly recipe is meal prep perfection—freeze for up to three months and enjoy fresh marinara anytime you crave it!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 56 oz Canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 6 oz Tomato paste
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small Carrot, grated
- 2 tsp Dried basil
- 2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 leaves Bay leaf
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. In a crock pot, pour the canned whole peeled tomatoes and crush them lightly with a wooden spoon or your hands to break them up into smaller chunks.
2. Add the tomato paste and water, stirring well to combine into a smooth base.
3. Stir in the diced onion, minced garlic, and grated carrot. The carrot adds natural sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
4. Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, black pepper, and the bay leaf. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasoning evenly.
5. Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low heat for 8 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.
6. After 8 hours, remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
7. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the crock pot to blend until the desired texture is achieved, or transfer the sauce to a blender and blend in batches.
8. Stir in the fresh parsley (if using) immediately before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.
9. Serve over pasta, use as a pizza sauce, or enjoy as a dipping sauce for breadsticks. Let cool completely before storing leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
634 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.9 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4496 mg | 195% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 147.4 g | 54% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.4 g | 141% | |
| Total Sugars | 93.6 g | ||
| Protein | 23.7 g | 47% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 459 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 17.7 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 4822 mg | 103% | |
*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.
