Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of crushed?

Transforming fresh tomatoes into crushed tomatoes for homemade marinara requires additional steps, including blanching and peeling the tomatoes before simmering them to achieve the desired consistency. These added procedures significantly extend the preparation time for homemade marinara sauce.

What's the difference between pizza sauce and marinara sauce?

The key differences lie in their ingredients, consistency, and culinary applications. Pizza sauce is simpler, thicker, and designed exclusively for pizzas, often used without much additional cooking. Marinara sauce is more complex, thinner, and versatile, typically cooked for longer periods to develop its flavors.

Why is there sugar in the recipe?

It's to balance out the acidity. Tomatoes can be naturally acidic and tart. Sugar is added to balance out this acidity and create a more harmonious flavor profile.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

Name: Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 9 h
Total time: 9 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 large onions, diced; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 4 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon salt; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil or 2 tablespoons dried basil; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

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Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

Homemade marinara sauce that is slow cooked in a 6-quart crock pot with just a few ingredients!

Yield: 28 servings (or about 14 cups) 1x

Prep: 10 minutesCook: 9 hoursTotal: 9 hours 10 minutes

Units:

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Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil or 2 tablespoons dried basil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Make It Now:

In large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic for about 30-60 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the onion/garlic mixture and the rest of the ingredients into a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on LOW for 9-11 hours (or on HIGH for 5-7 hours).
Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired.

Freeze For Later: Cook the sauce and let it cool completely. Portion into to freezer bags, freezer containers, or mason jars, being careful to leave at least 1-inch of headroom at the top for expansion.

Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the sauce using one of these safe thawing methods. Warm over medium-low to low heat on the stove, or use the microwave.

Notes/Tips

More Ways to Cook Marinara Sauce:

Slow Cooker High Setting – Cook it on high for 5-7 hours.
Stove Top: Simmer ingredients in a covered stock pot on the stove for 1 hour. I add 1 cup of water to the ingredients since it will lose more moisture this way.
Instant Pot: Depending on the size of your Instant Pot, you’ll likely need to cut this recipe in half. In the Instant Pot use the Saute setting to cook the onions and garlic. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release the pressure.

Cuisine: Italian Method: Slow Cooker

Find it online: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/slow-cooker-marinara-sauce-recipe/