Slow cooker homemade marinara
Ingredients
- 2 28-ounce cans of whole peeled or crushed tomatoes
or 3 1/2 pounds of fresh tomatoes
- 1 large sweet onion
sliced
- 1 head of garlic
peeled and smashed
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 3 bay leaves
- 2-3 whole dried chili peppers
or 1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
Directions
- 1
Peel and slice the onion, then peel the garlic and smash the cloves with the flat side of a large knife. You can roughly chop the garlic if you like, but it isn't necessary.
- 2
Place the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and whatever herbs and spices you're using in a slow cooker.
- 3
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for eight hours. If you want a quicker version, set your slow cooker on high for four hours.
- 4
When your sauce has finished cooking, remove bay leaves and any herbs with stems. Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce until completely smooth. For a chunkier marinara sauce, use a potato masher to mash the ingredients until you get the texture you want.
Slow cooker homemade marinara
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About this Recipe
Imagine the rich aroma of slow-simmered tomatoes filling your kitchen, all with just five minutes of active effort. This slow cooker homemade marinara recipe makes achieving restaurant-quality flavor effortlessly simple, delivering deep, authentic taste without the constant attention.
This recipe stands out for its incredible simplicity and profound depth of flavor. With just five minutes of prep, you combine whole peeled or crushed tomatoes, sweet onion, a head of garlic, and a thoughtful blend of spices in your slow cooker. The prolonged, gentle simmer allows these humble ingredients to meld into a rich, complex marinara that tastes like it's been cooking all day, without the constant stirring.
What to expect from this slow cooker marinara is a sauce bursting with authentic, slow-cooked flavor. The large sweet onion and a whole head of garlic melt into the tomatoes, creating a savory and slightly sweet base. Aromatic spices like fennel seeds and sweet paprika, alongside the subtle warmth from whole dried chili peppers or red chili flakes, deliver a beautifully balanced and robust sauce. You'll find yourself reaching for this versatile marinara again and again for its superior taste and amazing convenience.
This recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to use either whole peeled or crushed tomatoes, or for an even fresher taste, substitute with 3 1/2 pounds of ripe fresh tomatoes. Adjust the kick by adding more or fewer whole dried chili peppers or red chili flakes to suit your preference. For a different aromatic note, consider adjusting the amount of fennel seeds.
This robust homemade marinara is perfect tossed with your favorite pasta, as a vibrant base for homemade pizza, or spooned generously over meatballs or chicken parmesan for a comforting meal.