I arranged fresh tomatoes with diced onion and minced garlic in my crockpot, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with basil and oregano. I let it simmer all day, slowly creating a hearty Tomato Sauce Crockpot Homemade that bursts with the natural flavors of these key ingredients.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve been experimenting with my slow cooker lately and came up with this revision on tomato sauce that’s both simple and full of flavor. I started off with 5 lbs fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped (Roma tomatoes work best, trust me) and added a diced large onion along with 4 minced garlic cloves.

Pouring in 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil helped bring out the natural richness of the tomatoes. I tossed in 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and 1 tsp dried basil, and even a pinch of sugar if you’re looking to tone down the acidity.

Then I let everything slowly simmer all day in my crock pot, turning these basic ingredients into a vibrant Crockpot Tomatoes Sauce that soon became my go-to. I was surprised how making this Tomato Sauce in Crock Pot transformed the fresh ingredients into a delicious homemade sauce you don’t normally associate with no sugar recipes.

This Tomato Slow Cooker Recipe is definitely going to change your dinner game.

Why I Like this Recipe

I honestly love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I like how simple it is – I just chop up a few fresh tomatoes, dice an onion, and mince some garlic, and then throw everything into my crock pot. I don’t have to stand at the stove all the time and worry about things burning, which is great for busy days.

Second, I really enjoy the flavor. The mix of fresh ingredients with a little olive oil and the right amounts of salt and pepper just come together so nicely after simmering all day. There’s something special about slowly cooked tomatoes that makes the sauce taste way better than anything you can buy in the store.

Third, having a sauce that cooks itself is a lifesaver. I just set it all up in the morning and when I get home, it’s ready to go. I like that it gives me the freedom to focus on other stuff during the day without sacrificing a home-cooked meal.

Lastly, I love that this recipe is really versatile. I can serve it over my favorite pasta, use it as a base for another dish, or even store it for later use. It’s pretty cool how one simple sauce can turn into so many different meals.

Ingredients

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Fresh tomatoes provide vitamins and fibre, naturally sweet and tangy when cooked.
Diced onion adds a savory depth and subtle sweetness while delivering fiber and flavor.
Minced garlic gives a strong flavor burst, supporting heart health and taste overall.
Olive oil contributes healthy fats, binding ingredients and adding rich mellow flavor.
Basil infuses a fresh herbal aroma, balancing the deep tomato flavor with vibrant notes.
Seasonings like salt, pepper, oregano and sugar tie the flavors together balancing tang and heat.
Roma tomatoes are ideal for their dense flesh and fewer seeds, enhancing sauce texture.
This slow cooked sauce retains natural sweetness and bold flavors perfect for pasta, pizza and beyond.

Ingredient Quantities

5 lbs fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped (Roma tomatoes work best)

1 large onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp dried basil (or about ¼ cup of fresh basil, roughly torn)

½ tsp dried oregano

Pinch of sugar (optional, helps balance the acidity)

How to Make this

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1. Begin by roughly chopping 5 lbs of fresh tomatoes (Roma tomatoes work best) and dice our large onion.

2. Mince 4 garlic cloves and get them ready too.

3. Place the chopped tomatoes, diced onion, and minced garlic in your crock pot.

4. Drizzle 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil all over the mixture.

5. Sprinkle in 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tsp dried basil (or if using fresh, about ¼ cup roughly torn basil leaves).

6. Add in ½ tsp dried oregano and a pinch of sugar if you want to balance the acidity.

7. Stir everything together lightly so that all the seasonings are mixed well with the tomatoes and onions.

8. Cover your crock pot and set it to low. Let it slowly simmer all day, at least 8 hours.

9. Once the cooking time is up, give the sauce a good stir and taste it to adjust seasoning if needed.

10. Serve over your favorite pasta or let it cool and store for later use. Enjoy your homemade tomato sauce!

Equipment Needed

1. Crock pot
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Measuring spoons
5. Mixing spoon
6. Bowl for prepping ingredients

These are the basic items you’ll need to get everything ready for the sauce.

FAQ

What type of tomatoes should I use? – Roma tomatoes work best cos they're less watery and break down easier for a richer sauce flavor.

How long do I cook the sauce? – In a crock pot, cook on low for about 6-8 hours so the flavors really meld together.

Do I need to peel or seed the tomatoes? – Nah, no need. Just roughly chop 'em and the slow cooking will soften the skins enough.

Can I add other herbs? – Sure, you can throw in some thyme or rosemary if you're feelin adventurous but basil and oregano are classic.

How do I adjust the seasoning? – Taste it later in cooking and add more salt, pepper or a pinch more sugar if it seems too acidic.

How should I store the leftovers? – Put it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for about 3 months if you've made a big batch.

Crock Pot Tomato Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you can’t find ripe fresh tomatoes, you can use a couple of cans of crushed tomatoes instead. They work well where it’s too hard to get fresh ones.
If you don’t like the flavor of yellow onions, try using red onions or even a couple of diced shallots for a slightly different taste.
Don’t have fresh garlic on hand? Use garlic powder instead – about 1/3 of a teaspoon per clove should do the trick.
If you’re low on extra virgin olive oil, you can swap it out with regular olive oil or even canola oil in a pinch.
If you run out of dried basil, you might combine a pinch of dried parsley and a bit more dried oregano to mimic that herbal kick.

Pro Tips

1. If you have time, try roasting the garlic separately before adding it into the sauce to give it a richer flavor. It really brings out a deeper taste in the final dish.

2. Make sure you stir the sauce at least once or twice during the simmer. This helps prevent the sauce from sticking to the pot and burning a bit on the bottom.

3. Consider adding a bit of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat in your tomato sauce. It’s a small change but really bumps up the flavor profile.

4. Taste your sauce near the end of the slow cooking time and adjust the seasonings if needed. Fresh herbs like basil added at the end can brighten things up, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little.

Crock Pot Tomato Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

118

kcal

Equipment: 1. Crock pot
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Measuring spoons
5. Mixing spoon
6. Bowl for prepping ingredients

These are the basic items you’ll need to get everything ready for the sauce.

Ingredients

5 lbs fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped (Roma tomatoes work best)
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dried basil (or about ¼ cup of fresh basil, roughly torn)
½ tsp dried oregano
Pinch of sugar (optional, helps balance the acidity)

Directions

Begin by roughly chopping 5 lbs of fresh tomatoes (Roma tomatoes work best) and dice our large onion.
Mince 4 garlic cloves and get them ready too.
Place the chopped tomatoes, diced onion, and minced garlic in your crock pot.
Drizzle 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil all over the mixture.
Sprinkle in 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tsp dried basil (or if using fresh, about ¼ cup roughly torn basil leaves).
Add in ½ tsp dried oregano and a pinch of sugar if you want to balance the acidity.
Stir everything together lightly so that all the seasonings are mixed well with the tomatoes and onions.
Cover your crock pot and set it to low. Let it slowly simmer all day, at least 8 hours.
Once the cooking time is up, give the sauce a good stir and taste it to adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve over your favorite pasta or let it cool and store for later use. Enjoy your homemade tomato sauce!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.