Slow Cooker Marinara

This recipe has limited hands-on prep time. All you have to do is pop the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it go all day. Leftovers can be portioned and frozen for later.

Serve this marinara over pasta or chicken parm. It can also be used as a chunkier pizza sauce.

Slow Cooker or Stove-top

You’ll save the most time on this recipe by making it in the slow cooker, however, it’s also quite simple to make on the stove. I prefer the slow cooker method because it allows the flavors to develop and is hands-off.

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Uses

This sauce can be served over your favorite pasta and can be used to top your chicken parmesan. Feel free to add veggies, cooked ground meat, or meatballs to customize it. I love adding cooked Italian sausage, mushrooms, and peppers to make it hearty.

Portion and freeze the leftovers

Allow the sauce to cool before portioning and freezing it. I like to store it in medium-sized Ziploc bags, and frozen flat so the store and stack nicely in the freezer. One cup portions would be great if using for a dish like chicken parmesan, and 2-3 cup portions are better for using it as a pasta sauce if you’re adding veggies or meat. In the end, choose portion amounts based on how you intend to use the sauce in the future.

Slow Cooker Marinara

A hands-free marinara recipe using pantry staples.

Course Main Course, pasta, sauce
Cuisine Italian
Keyword easy meals, marinara, quick meals, slow cooker, slow-cooker meals
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings 7 cups
Author SL

Ingredients

  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 28 oz.
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz.
  • 1 Tbsp dried basil
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Diced onion and mince garlic.

  2. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.

  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

  4. Allow sauce to cool before portioning and freezing.

Recipe Notes

This recipe can be made on the stove-top.  Sauté onions and garlic in a bit of olive oil, add remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes.  It can also be pureed with an immersion blender for a smoother sauce. 

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