Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce Fresh Tomatoes
Spaghetti is a favorite meal for many people, and a good sauce is what makes it even more delicious. There are different types of spaghetti sauce, but nothing beats the taste of homemade spaghetti sauce made with fresh tomatoes. This article will teach you how to make a slow cooker spaghetti sauce fresh tomatoes at home.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 6-7 large fresh tomatoes
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)
Instructions
Follow the steps below to make your slow cooker spaghetti sauce fresh tomatoes:
- Wash the tomatoes and cut them into quarters. Remove the seeds and the hard part at the top.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the quartered tomatoes to the skillet and stir. Add salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, bay leaf, and sugar (if using). Stir to combine everything.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and juicy.
- Remove the bay leaf from the mixture and transfer everything to your slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce until it is smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, but make sure to let the sauce cool down a bit before blending.
- Once the sauce is smooth, let it cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Why Use Fresh Tomatoes?
Using fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones gives the sauce a fresher and brighter taste. Fresh tomatoes are also healthier than canned ones because they don't contain any preservatives or additives. Plus, making your own sauce from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the seasoning to your taste.
How to Use the Sauce
This slow cooker spaghetti sauce fresh tomatoes can be used in various ways. Of course, it's perfect for spaghetti, but you can also use it as a base for other pasta dishes, like lasagna or baked ziti. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for garlic bread or as a pizza sauce.
Conclusion
Making your own slow cooker spaghetti sauce fresh tomatoes is easy and rewarding. It's a healthier and tastier alternative to canned spaghetti sauce, and it allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the seasoning to your taste. Plus, it can be used in various dishes, making it a versatile and convenient sauce to have on hand.
