Slow Cooker Marinara with Fresh Basil
Transform your favorite Italian dishes with this flavorful Slow Cooker Marinara with Fresh Basil, the ultimate homemade tomato sauce that’s as easy as it is delicious. This recipe features a combination of pantry staples like canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a hint of granulated sugar, slow-cooked to perfection with aromatic sautéed onions, garlic, and dried herbs. The secret to its vibrant, fresh taste is the addition of chopped fresh basil at the end, which brings a garden-fresh flair to the sauce. With just 10 minutes of prep and a hands-off cooking process, this versatile marinara is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Use it to elevate pasta, pizza, or dipping dishes, and don’t forget the sprinkle of Parmesan for a truly authentic touch!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 56 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces Tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.5 cups Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 0.25 cups Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, granulated sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker.
Stir everything together until well combined.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the sides.
After cooking, use a wooden spoon to gently crush any remaining tomato chunks for a smoother texture (optional).
Stir in the fresh chopped basil and allow the sauce to sit in the slow cooker (still on warm) for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Serve the marinara sauce over your favorite pasta, use it as a pizza sauce, or as a dipping sauce. Optionally, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
133 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.9 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 4 mg | 1% | |
| Sodium | 538 mg | 23% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.6 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.1 g | ||
| Protein | 4.7 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 106 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 624 mg | 13% | |
*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.
