Best 7 Slow Simmering Pasta Sauce Recipes

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Crafting the perfect slow-simmering pasta sauce is an art, a labor of love that yields a rich, flavorful, and versatile foundation for pasta dishes and beyond. Whether you prefer a classic tomato-based sauce, a creamy Alfredo, or a hearty meat ragu, taking the time to simmer your sauce low and slow allows flavors to meld, creating a depth of taste that cannot be rushed. In this article, we will explore the secrets of slow-simmering pasta sauce, providing tips and tricks to help you elevate your sauce to new heights.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SLOW-SIMMERED SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Slow-Simmered Spaghetti Sauce image

Make and share this Slow-Simmered Spaghetti Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Sauces

Time 6h15m

Yield 2 1/2 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
4 (14 1/2 ounce) cans Italian-style tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
3 teaspoons dried basil
3 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dry crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients in a 4-quart slow cooker.
  • Cook, covered, on HIGH, 6 hours.
  • Serve over spaghetti, chicken, or pork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 357.8, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 4369.3, Carbohydrate 83.6, Fiber 16.7, Sugar 49.8, Protein 15.3

SLOW-SIMMERING PASTA SAUCE



Slow-Simmering Pasta Sauce image

Spaghetti with sauce is my kids' favorite dinner, so through trial and error, I came up with my own recipe. This is the winning result. I love that it's made in a slow cooker.-Samantha Vicars, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup minced fresh basil, divided
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat for 7-8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker., Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, bay leaves, oregano, dried basil, salt and thyme. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours., Discard bay leaves; stir in half of the fresh basil. Serve with pasta. Top with remaining basil.

Nutrition Facts :

SLOW-COOKED SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Slow-Cooked Spaghetti Sauce image

I like to serve this homey dish to company and not just because it's easy and economical. I'd be lost without my slow cooker!-Shelley McKinney, New Castle, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 7h15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ground beef or bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 teaspoons dried basil
1 to 2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Hot cooked spaghetti

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. , Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Add the next 10 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until heated through. Discard bay leaf. Serve with spaghetti.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 142 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 28mg cholesterol, Sodium 546mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

SPLENDICIOUS SLOW COOKER SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Splendicious Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce image

This recipe comes from my Army days where dishes were often created by throwing in everything including the kitchen sink! I've refined it over the years, and this recipe yields a tangy yet sweet and rich sauce that is sure to make your soldiers happy. The sauce is excellent over any pasta.

Provided by Robert Salmon

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Meat Sauce

Time 9h15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
1 cup red wine
1 cup sliced green olives
4 teaspoons sea salt
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon Hungarian paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup finely chopped sweet onion, divided
1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped
⅔ cup chopped fresh parsley
⅔ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 teaspoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 (4 ounce) links Italian sausage links, casings removed
2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup red wine, or more if needed

Steps:

  • Mix together the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, 1 cup of red wine, green olives, 4 teaspoons of sea salt, basil, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a slow cooker. Set the cooker to Low.
  • While the cooker is warming up, place 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook 3/4 cup of sweet onion until the onion just begins to soften, about 2 minutes; stir in 1 clove of garlic. Cook the mixture for 3 more minutes before mixing in parsley and mushrooms. Reduce heat, and simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, and mix to dissolve.
  • While the parsley and mushrooms are simmering, heat 3 more tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and stir in the remaining onion and the sausage. Brown the sausage, breaking the meat up into crumbles as it cooks, about 10 minutes; season the mixture with white pepper and cumin. Pour 1 cup of red into the skillet, and scrape the pan with a wooden spoon to dissolve any brown flavor bits into the wine. Simmer for about 10 minutes; pour the sausage mixture into the skillet with the parsley and mushrooms. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat just until all the ingredients have had time to introduce themselves to each other, about 10 minutes. Pour the sausage mixture into the slow cooker.
  • Cook on Low for 8 hours to overnight. Add more red wine or water if needed to prevent the sauce from getting too thick and burning on the bottom.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 184 calories, Carbohydrate 13.4 g, Cholesterol 8.3 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 1245 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

MEAT-LOVER'S SLOW COOKER SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Meat-Lover's Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce image

This creates a great, chunky, and very meaty spaghetti sauce. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes!

Provided by Ashley

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Meat Sauce

Time 8h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 small onions, chopped
¼ pound bulk Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon white sugar

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onions and Italian sausage until the sausage is browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage and onions to a slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook and stir the ground beef, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and marjoram, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until the meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer the ground beef into the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, thyme, basil, oregano, and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Set the cooker on Low, and cook the sauce for 8 hours. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the sugar. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.9 calories, Carbohydrate 18.8 g, Cholesterol 45.2 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 1025.1 mg, Sugar 13.4 g

2½ HOUR TOMATO SAUCE RECIPE BY TASTY



2½ Hour Tomato Sauce Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: olive oil, garlic, small onion, tomato, salt, dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, fresh basil, pepper, sugar

Provided by Matt Ciampa

Categories     Dinner

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small onion, halved
56 oz tomato, whole canned
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 dried basil
1 bay leaf
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
pepper, to taste
sugar, to taste

Steps:

  • In a pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes or until fragrant, but not browned.
  • Add the tomatoes with their juice, and crush with the back of a spoon.
  • Add the onion and salt, and stir occasionally. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for an hour.
  • Discard the garlic and onion, then puree to the desired consistency with a food mill or immersion blender.
  • Transfer the sauce back to a pot and add the bay leaf, dried oregano, and dried basil. Bring to a simmer for about 90 minutes or until the desired thickness.
  • Discard the bay leaf, add the fresh basil and, to taste, salt, pepper, and sugar.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 143 calories, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 2 grams, Sugar 8 grams

SLOW-COOKER SUNDAY SAUCE



Slow-Cooker Sunday Sauce image

Whether it's called red sauce, sugo or gravy, you'll find a big pot of the rich tomato sauce simmering all Sunday long in many Italian-American households. Every family has their own version, but this recipe includes shreddy pork shoulder, sausage and meatballs. This slow-cooker version lets you simmer it overnight or while you're not home, and without splatters and stirring (though you can also make it on a stovetop). Once the sauce is done, coat pasta in the sauce, spoon the meats on top and serve it with a green salad, crusty bread and red wine. Sauce can be kept refrigerated for up to one week and frozen for up to three months.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, meat, pastas, main course

Time 8h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
3 basil sprigs
2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage, or a combination
1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1/3 cup red wine
1 pound uncooked homemade or store-bought meatballs
1 1/2 pounds tubular or long noodles, like rigatoni or spaghetti
Grated Parmesan or pecorino, for serving

Steps:

  • In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes and basil sprigs. Season the pork shoulder all over with salt and pepper.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Working in batches if necessary, cook the pork until browned on two sides, 8 to 10 minutes total, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Transfer pieces to the slow cooker as they finish. Add the sausages to the pot and cook until browned, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, if needed, and the onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the red wine, stirring to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pot, and cook until the wine is nearly evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes. Scrape the onion-wine mixture into the slow cooker, and stir to combine. Add the meatballs on top. (It's OK if they're sticking out of the sauce.) Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, until the pork shoulder falls apart when shredded with a fork.
  • When you're ready to eat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. While the pasta boils, slice the sausage and shred the pork shoulder on a cutting board, and leave it there. When the pasta is al dente, reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and return the pasta to the pot. Over medium heat, toss the pasta with enough sauce to coat (about 4 cups), adding pasta water as needed until the sauce clings to the pasta. (Some meatballs might end up in the pasta pot; that's OK.) Return the sausage and pork shoulder to the remaining sauce in the slow cooker.
  • Divide pasta between bowls, then top with a bit of each meat. Pass the Parmesan and extra meat and sauce at the table.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will taste. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes, good olive oil, and fresh herbs.
  • Simmer the sauce for a long time: The longer you simmer the sauce, the more flavor it will develop. Aim for at least 2 hours, or even longer if you have the time.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make a slow-simmering pasta sauce. Feel free to add different ingredients or adjust the proportions to suit your own taste.
  • Taste the sauce as you go: This is the best way to make sure that it's seasoned properly. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
  • Serve the sauce with your favorite pasta: Any type of pasta will work, but some of our favorites include spaghetti, penne, and rigatoni.

Conclusion:

A slow-simmering pasta sauce is a delicious and easy way to add flavor to your favorite pasta dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a sauce that will impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this slow-simmering pasta sauce a try. You won't be disappointed!

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