Spaghetti Sauce From Fresh Tomatoes Crock Pot
Spaghetti sauce is a classic Italian recipe that has been enjoyed by people all over the world. While it's easy to buy pre-made sauce at the grocery store, making it from scratch is a great way to ensure that you're using fresh, high-quality ingredients. In this article, we'll show you how to make spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes in a crock pot. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays when you want to enjoy a delicious, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's go over the ingredients you'll need:
- 10-12 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can of tomato paste (6 oz)
- 1 cup of water
Instructions
Now that you have all of your ingredients ready, it's time to start cooking:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are translucent.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
- Transfer the tomato mixture to your crock pot and add the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaf, tomato paste, and water. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it's smooth and creamy.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out.
- Cook your pasta according to the package instructions and serve with the freshly made spaghetti sauce.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect spaghetti sauce:
- Use fresh tomatoes for the best flavor. Roma tomatoes work well, but you can use any variety that you like.
- If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender to puree the sauce. Just be careful not to burn yourself with the hot liquid.
- If you want a chunkier sauce, you can skip the blending step and leave the sauce as is.
- You can add ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce for a meaty version.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Making spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes in a crock pot is a great way to enjoy a delicious, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a sauce that's bursting with flavor and perfect for topping your favorite pasta. So next time you're in the mood for Italian food, give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!