My easy Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe is perfect for busy winter days!
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I'm hoping off the all things Thanksgiving train to help you out with some of those busy days surrounding Thanksgiving and the upcoming winter season. I don't know about you, but it can be hard to get a quick meal on the table all those days that AREN'T the holiday.
Enter my Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe.
Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe
This Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe is simple and versatile. Yes, it's a pretty classic meal but my version doesn't have sugar AND has that amazing homemade taste that's hard to get any other way.
You just throw canned tomatoes, onions and spices in the Crock Pot or slow cooker in the morning and let it simmer all day. I even add some "hidden" veggies like a carrot. It gets chopped up really fine and you don't even notice it. It does add some nice flavor and natural sweetness to the meal though.
When you get home you can leave the sauce chunky, or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth.
I personally love the smooth Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe. Look how fresh this looks and it seriously could not get any easier.
As for what to put the sauce on??? You've got lots of great options but I love a good simple Penne pasta. It's really a crowd favorite.
Barilla Classic Blue Box Pasta makes a tasty, high quality, simple, wholesome and affordable addition to your pantry. As a runner, I love carbs and always keep some of this in my pantry.
Barilla Classic Blue Box Pasta is great for busy days and is actually an authentic Italian food brand. And in full Italian style the pasta brings well being and quality taste to your table!
Did you know they are actually the #1 choice of Italy? And ever since I went to Italy I've been all about following their lead when it comes to pasta. YUMMY!
And what goes better with a pasta dinner than wine?
I know red is the traditional pairing with this, but I'm a big chardonnay fan. Clos Du Bois Chardonnay is one of my go-to's for a refined and delicious bottle on a budget. It's such a great value for the taste you get!
Clos du Bois is a California wine, made the French way. It's Romantic, Elegant, Approachable, Lighthearted, Vibrant, Joie de Vivre. <--- How's that for a little spunk to your dinner.
I know picking out a good wine in the store can be a little daunting if you don't know what you are looking for, but I always trust this brand to get an approachable elegant glass. I'll be including the wine in my holiday entertaining and with meals like this! They pair great with pasta too!
The Chardonnay is bright, refreshing and fruit forward without being too oak-y. You can expect to taste a little ripe apple, pear, sweet lemon drop, toasty oak, vanilla bean, spice, butter.
If you are red fan, I also suggest trying out their Cabernet for your holiday meals.
The pasta and wine can be easily found at your favorite grocery store.
This simple meal is great for a weekday meal or even wonderful to serve house guests who may be staying the entire holiday weekend. I mean you can only eat turkey for so many days before you need a complete change of pace and this Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe delivers.
The combination of this homemade Crock Pot Marinara Sauce recipe, Barilla Classic Blue Box pasta and Clos du Bois wines will be the talk of your table!
Want more "Talk of the Table" recipes from Barilla Pasta and Clos du Bois wines? Check out this post for additional recipe inspiration! Also follow Barilla on Twitter and Pinterest for great foodie ideas.
I hope you enjoy the recipe and as always, I'd love to hear what you think!
Easy & Healthy Crock Pot Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 20 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a Crock Pot and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Once cooked, you can use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth like the photo! You can also leave it chunky.
Notes
Jarred marinara sauce often has sugar in it, so you will be missing that flavor. You can add a small amount to duplicate that flavoring but I like this sugar-free version!
Nutrition
Like it? I’d love it if you could pin this to your favorite Pinterest board! Thank you so much for the support.
Also try these vegetarian Crock Pot dinners!
Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Kale Curry
Crock Pot Cauliflower Cheddar Soup
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’m sharing a great pink dress for holiday parties.
Your turn!
Check out this site and let me know which recipe you'd like to try.
Kimmythevegan says
I really love pasta - it's my favourite. It's warm & comforting and delicious. And cooking it in a crockpot would really allow all of the wonderful flavours to meld. I can't wait to try it out =)
Thanks os much for sharing at Healthy Vegan Fridays! I'm pinning & sharing. Hope you're having a great week!
JulieWunder says
Oh I know! It is the best! Thanks for hosting.
Miz Helen says
Thanks so much for linking up with Full Plate Thursday! We will have an early Thanksgiving Edition on 11-22 -16, hope to see you there!
Wishing you a bountiful Thanksgiving!
Miz Helen
Carrie says
This sounds so delicious! I love make homemade spaghetti sauce either marinara or with meat. It tastes so much better.
JulieWunder says
It does! Thanks so much Carrie!
Farrah says
Yay for another crockpot recipe! I'm gonna have to try this sauce on one of my homemade pizzas! 😀
JulieWunder says
That sounds so good!!
Toughcookiemommy says
I really need to start using my crock pot more often. I keep seeing all of these delicious recipes for slow cookers and I know it is time to try my hand at it too. This sauce looks so hearty and delicious.
JulieWunder says
Thanks! I know you would like it!
Marielle Altenor says
That recipe looks amazing! I've been seeing so many delicious meals done in a crock pot. I totally need to get one.
JulieWunder says
Yes you do! My favorite kitchen appliance!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
Yum! You can never go wrong with a delicious marinara sauce and this one looks perfect!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kristy! It's the best!
Sharon @ Bit of the Good Stuff says
This sauce looks amazing! I love its beautiful, rich colour and smooth texture. I don't think I've used my slow cooker for a couple of years now. I feel bad that I've neglected it for so long. I'll definitely seek it out now. Really want to try your recipe! xx
JulieWunder says
It's time to be friends with it again. 🙂
Annmarie says
Love homemade marinara sauce! This looks amazing!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! It's really tasty!
jill conyers says
Marinara is one of those foods that is so much better homemade. Looks delicious Julie.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jill! It is soooo good!
Adriana Martin says
Marinara is one of my favorite sauces for pasta and then top it off with wine yes I am in. That dinner looks so good =)
JulieWunder says
Thanks! Classic and good!
Cassandra @ Powered By BLING says
I love crockpot meals because there's nothing better than walking in the house after a long day and smelling that dinner is already done!
JulieWunder says
It is the best! Thanks so much Cassandra!
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands says
Saw this earlier today and was thinking it would be perfect for a big get together we are having with friends at my parents next weekend. Simply delicious!!
JulieWunder says
Oh yes! Big crowd pleaser too!
Lindsay Cotter says
Love how easy this is! So much better too than the jar from the store!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! Thanks Lindsay!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
Barilla and Clos du Bois used to be a weekly staple in our grocery cart! I"m not sure what happened, but need to rectify that loss 🙂
JulieWunder says
Haha! Yes you do!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
Crock pot is a great way to make marinara! I love this whole pasta night idea!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jess! Good stuff!!!
abbey s says
This looks so yummy! Now I'm craving pasta haha
JulieWunder says
Me too! ALWAYS!
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. says
I love anything that can be made in the crock pot. Makes my life a whole lot simpler! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Divya! Hope you enjoy it.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
I'm all about the crockpot recipes this time of year! I love a good bowl of pasta, so this sounds amazing. Or over some eggplant parm!
JulieWunder says
Ohhhhh sooo goooddd! I even like it over some roasted veggies!
Alicia says
Oh man, does this look AMAZING! I love a good pasta dinner. I am going to have to try this one out soon.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Alicia!!! Hope you enjoy it.
Neely Moldovan says
I see the words crock pot and IM all over it. I love finding things I can make in the crockpot that are easy and healthy!
JulieWunder says
Me toooooo! Slow cookers are the best.
Liz says
I love a delicious crock pot recipe. Bonus that this combines my love for Italian food too!
JulieWunder says
I love anything Italian! Thanks Liz.
Blane Sherer says
I will be going to Charleston Friday to support
my daughter in the Miss South Carolina pageant
this weekend..
I will be going down with my other daughter, who is
her twin sister, and my two year old grandson.
Hope you have a nice weekend.
JulieWunder says
How exciting! I hope she did well!!!
Emily says
Lately we haven't had as much ready made spaghetti sauce, and my dad has been making these amazing spaghetti sauces with tomato sauce and spice and such. They are SO GOOD! 🙂 And I don't like wine, but this actually sounds kind of good?
JulieWunder says
Yes! Love this wine. I bet your Dad's sauce is amazing too.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Yum! That sauce looks so rich and thick! I will save your recipe and make a large batch. I will store half in the freezer for those hectic days that my come our way. Thank you for sharing!a
JulieWunder says
Exactly! Such a good freezer sauce.
Nayna Kanabar says
this looks really delicious. Nothing beats home made pasta sauce.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Nayna! Hope you enjoy it.
Kate Ford says
Oh yum that looks delicious, I love rich tomato sauces which have been cooked for hours, but have never tried making one in a slow cooker - will do now!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kate! It's soooo good.
amanda -runtothefinish says
I've always wanted to make my own sauce but felt intimidated! I will have to try this because I do love the crock pot!!
JulieWunder says
Don't be! It's sooooo easy!
Emily Holdorf says
Love this! Makes me wanna get in the kitchen and make a big batch 🙂
JulieWunder says
Soooooo good! Thanks Emily.
Crystal says
Making dinner from scratch can be so tough with busy weeknights. I rely on my slow cooker a ton. This recipe sounds just perfect for busy nights when you want your family to eat well.
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! Thanks Crystal.
rachel @ athletic avocado says
This looks so easy to make! nothing better than homemade pasta sauce 🙂
JulieWunder says
Yes! It's so good!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
oooo maybe my next slow cooker project?
JulieWunder says
Totally!! Hope you enjoy it.
heather @Lunging Through Life says
I've never made marinara sauce from scratch. I always buy the jar, haha. I suppose I'd need to get an immersion blender but this looks easy enough!
JulieWunder says
You could totally put it in a regular blender too. Just be careful not to burn yourself! It's sooo good!