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Grandma’s Favorite Slow Cooker Marinara

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Do you cherish those enticing recipes that have been passed down through the ages?

This is one of those recipes.

I’ve tweaked it to make it my own, but it’s still undeniably grandma’s recipe.

This slow cooker marinara sauce is the perfect blend of sweet and savory.

Grandma’s favorite slow cooker marinara sauce recipe is a hearty, flavorful sauce perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

This dish is made with ground beef, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and various spices.

It’s simmered in the slow cooker all day long, so all you have to do is cook the pasta and serve.

This easy and delicious slow cooker marinara sauce is perfect for a busy family.

It’s simple to make and can be used with any pasta.

It freezes well, so you can always have some on hand for a quick meal.

This saucy dish is excellent with pasta, but we especially love it with rigatoni or penne.

Serve it with a side of garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal.

Looking for an easy, flavorful slow cooker recipe, look no further than Grandma’s Favorite Slow Cooker Marinara.

This dish is sure to become a family favorite!

How to Make Grandma’s Favorite Slow Cooker Marinara?

When it comes to making a good marinara sauce, it’s all about taking the time to let the flavors meld together.

This slow cooker marinara sauce recipe is the perfect example of that.

The longer it cooks, the more flavorful it becomes.

So, if you have the time, I recommend simmering this sauce for at least 8 hours.

But, if you’re in a hurry, 4 hours will do the trick.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious slow cooker marinara sauce:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
  • 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
  • 6-ounce can of tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil

Step by Step Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil.

2. Pour the mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker.

3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

4. When the sauce is done cooking, use a spoon to remove any excess fat from the surface.

5. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Serve the sauce over the pasta.

Note: This sauce can also be made in a pressure cooker.

Follow the exact instructions, but cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.

Then, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the lid.

Cooking Tip: This sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen for later.

Place it in a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it on the stove.

How eating Marinara made in a Slow cooker improves your health?

There are many benefits to eating Marinara sauce made in a slow cooker.

The sauce is cooked at a lower temperature, so the nutrients are not destroyed.

The sauce also contains more tomatoes which are a source of lycopene.

Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been linked to many health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The sauce also contains garlic which has been shown to boost the immune system.

Here are some other benefits of eating Marinara sauce made in a slow cooker:

1. The sauce is less acidic than sauces cooked at a higher temperature. This can help reduce heartburn and indigestion.

2. The sauce contains more vitamins and minerals than sauces cooked at a higher temperature.

3. The sauce is a good source of fiber.

4. The sauce can help you feel fuller longer.

5. The sauce can help stabilize blood sugar levels.

6. The sauce can help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea.

7. The sauce is a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to many health benefits.

8. The sauce is a good source of garlic that boosts the immune system.

9. The sauce is low in calories and fat.

10. The sauce is gluten-free.

Thus, it’s evident that there are many health benefits of eating Marinara sauce made in a slow cooker.

So, if you’re looking to improve your health, then make sure to include this delicious sauce in your diet!

How to freeze them?

It’s terrible when they ice up in the freezer solid.

And, it’s a pain to have to wait for them to defrost every time you want to use them.

So, how can you make sure your frozen leftovers are still good to eat?

1. Make sure the sauce is entirely cooled before freezing.

2. Place the sauce in a freezer-safe container.

3. Label the container with the date and contents.

4. Freeze the sauce for up to three months.

5. When you’re ready to use the sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

6. Reheat the sauce on the stove over low heat until it’s heated through.

7. If you have any leftover sauce, simply place it back in the freezer for another time.

Making Marinara sauce in a slow cooker is a great way to enjoy all the benefits of this healthy and delicious sauce.

So, make sure to give it a try!

Your taste buds and your health will thank you!

What to serve with this dish?

Apart from the apparent pasta, there are several other ways to enjoy this sauce.

This dish makes the perfect topping for grilled chicken or fish.

It can also be used as a base for a vegetarian pizza or pasta bake.

If you’re looking for a lighter option, try serving this sauce over some roasted vegetables.

This dish goes great with pasta, rice, or even just a loaf of bread.

If you’re looking for a healthier option, try serving it over some whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.

You can also add some protein to this dish by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

For a vegetarian option, you can add beans or lentils.

Whatever you choose to serve this dish with, it’s sure to be delicious!

What are the nutritional facts of eating this dish?

This dish is packed with nutrients that are essential for good health.

Tomatoes, garlic, and onions are all excellent sources of vitamins and minerals.

This dish is also a good source of fiber, essential for digestive health.

Additionally, this dish is low in calories and fat, making it an excellent option for those watching their weight.

Nutritional facts contain:

  • Calories: 107
  • Fat: 1 gram
  • Saturated Fat: 0 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
  • Sodium: 147 milligrams
  • Carbohydrates: 20 grams
  • Fiber: 3 grams
  • Sugar: 8 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams
  • Lycopene: 2 milligrams
  • Garlic: 1 clove

As you can see, this dish is packed with nutrients that are essential for good health.

If you’re looking to improve your health, then make sure to include this delicious sauce in your diet!

How to make this dish tastier?

There are a few things that you can do to make this dish even tastier.

One is to add more garlic.

Another is to use fresh herbs instead of dried ones.

Finally, you could try adding some red wine to the sauce for an extra depth of flavor.

Things you must remember while cooking:

1. Soak the dried beans overnight in water.

2. Do not add salt to the water while cooking the beans.

3. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the slow cooker.

4. Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker at once.

5. Do not open the lid while the sauce is cooking.

6. Let the sauce cool slightly before serving.

7. Serve over your favorite pasta or with some crusty bread.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)

Can I use fresh spices instead of dried ones?

Why not?

If you have fresh spices, feel free to use them instead of dried ones.

Remember to adjust the amount you use since fresh spices are usually more potent than their dried counterparts.

What is the difference between this sauce and other tomato-based sauces?

This sauce is made with fresh tomatoes, while other tomato-based sauces are usually made with canned tomatoes.

This sauce also has a higher proportion of vegetables than tomato puree, which gives it a fresher flavor.

This sauce does not contain any added sugar, while other sauces often do.

How long will this sauce last?

This sauce will last for up to four days in the fridge.

However, it’s best to eat it for the best flavor within two days.

Is this sauce-freezer-friendly?

Yes, this sauce can be frozen for up to six months.

Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating instructions:

This sauce can be reheated over low heat or in the microwave on the stovetop.

If you’re reheating it on the stovetop, stir it frequently to prevent scorching.

If you’re reheating it in the microwave, heat it in short increments and stir it well after each one.

Tomato-based sauces are a staple of Italian cuisine.

There are countless recipes for this type of sauce.

This sauce is made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and onions.

It’s perfect for those looking for a healthy option.

How long to cook the marinara sauce in the slow cooker?

Assuming you are using a basic marinara recipe, it should only need to cook for around 4 hours on low in the slow cooker.

If your sauce is particularly thick, you may need to give it an extra hour.

Keep an eye on it and stir it now and then, and it should be ready when it is nice and thick and bubbling away.

Enjoy!

Can I water bath can or pressure can this recipe?

The answer is no.

Water bath canning and pressure canning require special equipment and techniques different from those used in making jams and jellies.

If you attempt to water bath or pressure can make this recipe, the finished product will likely not be safe to eat.

Grandma’s Favorite Slow Cooker Marinara

Grandma’s Favorite Slow Cooker Marinara

Grandma’s favorite slow cooker marinara sauce recipe is a hearty, flavorful sauce perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 873 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28- ounce crushed tomatoes
  • 15- ounce tomato sauce
  • 6- ounce tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil.
  • Pour the mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
  • When the sauce is done cooking, use a spoon to remove any excess fat from the surface.
  • Cook the pasta according to package directions. Serve the sauce over the pasta.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 873kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 53gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 3gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 3524mgPotassium: 3458mgFiber: 17gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 3133IUVitamin C: 76mgCalcium: 345mgIron: 17mg
Keyword Grandma’s Favorite Slow Cooker Marinara
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