Homemade Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes
Nothing beats a homemade spaghetti sauce, especially when it's made with fresh tomatoes. Not only is it healthier and more flavorful than store-bought options, but it's also surprisingly easy to make. In this article, we'll show you how to make a delicious homemade crockpot spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 10-12 fresh tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
Directions:
1. Begin by washing the fresh tomatoes and removing the stem. Cut them into quarters and remove the seeds, if desired. You can also leave the seeds in, but they will give the sauce a slightly more textured consistency.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the diced bell peppers to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
4. Transfer the onion, garlic, and bell pepper mixture to a crockpot. Add the fresh tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Stir everything together until well combined.
5. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened. If desired, add the red wine in the last hour of cooking for added flavor.
6. Once the sauce is done cooking, remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the sauce to a blender and blend in batches.
7. Serve the homemade crockpot spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.
Why Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Is Better:
There are several reasons why homemade spaghetti sauce is better than store-bought options.
First, homemade sauce is healthier because you know exactly what's going into it. You can use fresh, organic ingredients and avoid added preservatives and chemicals.
Second, homemade sauce is more flavorful because you can customize it to your liking. You can adjust the seasonings, add more garlic or onion, or even experiment with different types of tomatoes.
Finally, homemade sauce is surprisingly easy to make. While it does require some prep work, it's mostly hands-off and can be made in a crockpot or on the stove.
Conclusion:
If you're looking to make a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce, try this crockpot recipe with fresh tomatoes. It's healthy, flavorful, and easy to make. Plus, you'll love the taste of fresh, organic ingredients in every bite.