Rich & Flavorful Crock Pot Italian Tomato Sauce
Indulge in the simplicity and distinct flavors of this homemade Italian Tomato Sauce. Ready with minimal effort, this recipe harnesses the fresh taste of crushed Roma tomatoes, enhanced by aromatic vegetables and herbs. It's a versatile base for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce. Perfectly balanced, it's designed to complement a wide range of dishes without overpowering them. Once you've made this from scratch, you'll find it hard to look at store-bought sauces again!
12
Servings
200
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crushed Roma Tomatoes
1 gallon (canned)
Olive Oil
4 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Onions
3 (chopped)
Garlic
4-6 cloves (minced)
Celery
4 stalks (chopped)
Baby Carrots
20 (chopped)
Kosher Salt
to taste
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
to taste
Bay Leaves
4
Unsalted Butter
to taste
Instructions
1
Start by pouring the crushed Roma tomatoes into your crock pot and setting it on high.
2
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions and sauté for approximately 5 minutes, or until they become translucent.
3
Incorporate the minced garlic, chopped celery, chopped baby carrots, and bay leaves into the skillet. Continue to sauté for another 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4
Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture into the crock pot with the tomatoes. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, adjusting to your taste. Stir well to combine, then cover the pot.
5
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook for 5-6 hours. Stir occasionally to mix the flavors.
6
After cooking, carefully remove the bay leaves and taste the sauce. If it’s too acidic, add the unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, stirring well after each addition, until the acidity is balanced to your liking.
7
For a smoother texture, ladle about three-quarters full into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the pureed sauce into a large bowl, then repeat with the remaining sauce.
8
If you prefer a thicker consistency, return the smooth sauce to the crock pot and cook uncovered on low, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
9
Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, allow it to cool completely. Then, ladle into 2-cup servings in plastic freezer bags.
10
Store frozen sauce for up to 6 months for a delicious homemade option whenever you need it!
Nutrition Information
8.3
Fat
33.3
Carbs
3.3
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main recipe name?
The recipe is for Rich & Flavorful Crock Pot Italian Tomato Sauce.
What type of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
This recipe utilizes one gallon of canned crushed Roma tomatoes.
How long does the sauce need to cook in the crock pot?
The sauce should cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours after the sautéed vegetables are added.
Is this Italian tomato sauce recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as vegetarian.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
How many calories are in a single serving?
There are 200 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 8.3 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 33.3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of the sauce?
The sauce provides 3.3 grams of protein per serving.
Can I freeze this tomato sauce?
Yes, the sauce is freezer friendly and can be stored for up to 6 months.
How should I store the sauce for freezing?
Ladle the completely cooled sauce into 2-cup servings in plastic freezer bags.
What vegetables are needed for the aromatic base?
The base consists of 3 onions, 4-6 cloves of garlic, 4 stalks of celery, and 20 baby carrots.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
How many bay leaves are required?
You will need 4 bay leaves for this recipe.
What can I do if the sauce is too acidic?
Add unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, until the acidity is balanced to your liking.
How do I make the sauce smooth?
Ladle the sauce into a blender and blend until smooth, working in batches if necessary.
What should I do if I want a thicker consistency?
Return the smooth sauce to the crock pot and cook uncovered on low, stirring frequently.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables before adding them to the crock pot?
Yes, sauté the onions for 5 minutes, then add the other vegetables and sauté for another 5-10 minutes before adding to the tomatoes.
When should I remove the bay leaves?
Remove the bay leaves after the 5-6 hour cooking period is complete and before blending.
What seasonings are used in this sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
What is the initial setting for the crock pot?
Start by setting the crock pot on high when you first pour in the crushed tomatoes.
Can this sauce be used for pizza?
Yes, it is a versatile base suitable for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce.
How much garlic is recommended?
The recipe recommends using between 4 and 6 cloves of minced garlic.
How many celery stalks are needed?
You will need 4 chopped stalks of celery.
How many baby carrots are used?
The recipe uses 20 chopped baby carrots.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients in this recipe.
Should the sauce be cooked covered or uncovered?
It should be cooked covered for the main 5-6 hours, but can be cooked uncovered if you wish to thicken it.
How often should I stir the sauce?
Stir the sauce occasionally during the slow cooking process to mix the flavors.
Why is butter added to the sauce?
Butter is used specifically to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include crock pot, italian sauce, tomato sauce, homemade, vegetarian, slow cooker, freezer friendly, pasta sauce, and sauce recipe.