February 26, 2021
updated
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This recipe for crock-pot tomato sauce is as simple and good as it gets!
Did you know you can make a delicious, homemade tomato sauce in your slow cooker? This recipe for crock-pot tomato sauce is easy to make and perfect for pizza, pasta, and all your tomato sauce needs.
In this recipe, I’ll be sharing a simple slow cooker method for that same rich and delicious sauce you get from the 4-hour stove-top recipe.
Homemade Tomato Sauce
All you have to do is place some washed tomatoes in the crock-pot (no peeling, seeding, or coring needed), add some seasonings and heat over low for approximately 8 hours. That’s it.
Depending on your slow cooker’s size, you can double or triple the batch and use the extra for all sorts of meals or store for future use.
Watch how easily this recipe comes together in this quick video.
I use tomato sauce almost every week to make various meals like homemade pizza pockets and my kid’s favorite, Pizza Chicken.
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You’re reading this right. Such a weekly plan exists, and you can grab a sample of the MOMables Classic Meal Plan here.
I love helping parents create various incredible meals with real ingredients and simple methods, hence this crock-pot tomato sauce. One batch can be used in several ways and made with canned or fresh tomatoes.
While I often use canned tomatoes for this recipe, you can also use fresh tomatoes when they are in season, so nothing goes to waste.
In case you do, you might want to remove the skin and de-seed the tomatoes, which is shown in this easy canned salsa recipe.
How Long Does Tomato Sauce Last?
While we are talking about nothing going to waste, this sauce stays fresh for 1 week or up to 2 months, depending on how you store it.
If you plan to use it within the week, refrigerate the tomato sauce in an airtight container for 5 days.
Anything longer and the sauce will either need to be frozen in an airtight container for 3 to 4 months or canned and stored in the pantry for up to a year.
How to Thicken Tomato Sauce in a Slow Cooker
Nothing can thicken up a sauce, gravy, soup, or roux like starch! Whether that’s cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca.
To thicken tomato sauce, add 2 teaspoons to a tablespoon of starch to the sauce. Stir to combine and cook for 10 minutes- it will thicken!
How to Pack Pasta and Tomato Sauce for Lunch
If you make this tomato sauce for dinner, why not pack it for a delicious hot lunch the next day? It’ll take care of those leftovers and give everyone a break from the usual salad/sandwich option.
You can even pack it with zucchini pasta for a low carb version. My kids even enjoy it too!
In the morning, reheat the pasta, or zucchini pasta, and sauce. Pack into thermos container and seal. Easy enough, right?!
Crock-Pot Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 28- ounce cans of tomatoes, crushed, whole, or diced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon basil
- 1 carrot, grated (½ cup)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar, optional
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a 6-quart slow-cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
- If you’re using whole tomatoes, once they’ve broken down, uncover. Continue cooking for another hour or two, until the sauce, has thickened.
- For a smooth sauce, run it through a food mill, carefully blend in a blender, or use an immersion blender.
- Allow sauce to cool down to room temperature and refrigerate unused sauce and use within 4 days.
- You can freeze the sauce in an airtight container or zip bag for up to 2 months.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
The possibilities are truly endless. What are some of your favorite ways to incorporate a good tomato sauce?
Stephanie Walp
I don’t know what happened but my sauce is so runny. I left it uncovered overnight and still woke up to soup. It has cooked for over 15 hours I hope I didn’t waste all of my garden tomatoes
MOMables - Laura
I have not had this runny issue. the sauce might need to be simmered down.
Katie
Do you ever can this recipe with water bathing method?
MOMables
I never have. I know other have canned this but not sure their method.
Liz Little
Take top off and continue cooking in crock pot with the top off?
Stephanie Schneller
Yes, approximately during the final hour.
Cookie
Thanks momables! The sauce came out great. I just have to allow a little more time to thicken up more, but it tastes great!
Deirdre StLuke
If you use canned crushed tomatoes, the sauce comes out thicker and doesn’t need paste at all. As well, you can substitute honey for sugar but use a little less.
lucy
Nice but I’m guessing it will need paste?
MOMables
what kind of paste?
Celia
Just made this, minus the carrots (didn’t have any on hand.) I spooned off most the liquid when I removed the cover. Let it cook without the cover for another 1.5 hours. Turned out GREAT! Just as good as any restaurant marinara. I’ve printed this out and added it to my fav recipes collection. Great way to use up all the extra maters from my garden!!
Mica
Have you frozen this recipe? I would like to try it if I can freeze the leftovers. Do you know how long it lasts in the freezer?
MOMables
Yes, fill freezer zip bags with the sauce and freeze.
Suzanne
How many tomatoes do you use if they are fresh? I have a ton from the garden. Mainly cherry and san marzano. You said I wouldn’t have to peel them or is that because you used the canned ones? I really don’t want the tomatoes to go to waste and I would love to be able to can them. Especially using the crockpot! Thank you, Suzanne
MOMables
Suzanne, I would say about 4 pounds of tomatoes.
Victoria
How long will the canned sauce last if stored in the fridge?
MOMables
Usually 5-7 days once opened.
Crocks
Amazing. I can use this for my other recipes. Love it.
amy
i made this a couple of weeks ago, and it came out pretty liquid runny. I didnt think anything of it, until i tried to toss some pasta with it and the sauce just fell straight to the bottom of the bowl. any tips to making it a tad thicker or did i do something wrong? either way it tasted delish and I will be using it again for sure.
-Amy
Eryca
Add a small can of tomatoes paste, and 1 of tomatoes sauce. That should thicken it up.
Andy
Cooking it uncovered longer will also cook off more moisture, allowing it to thicken.
melissa
What’s the best way to freeze tomato sauce?
MOMables
In freezer zip bags. That’s how i freeze them.