In the realm of culinary art, few dishes hold as much significance as a hearty, slow-cooked tomato sauce. It is a testament to the transformative power of patience and the simplicity of the finest ingredients. As the sauce simmers gently over low heat, the tomatoes release their rich, tangy essence, weaving a tapestry of flavors that evoke both comfort and nostalgia. Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned pro, this article will guide you through the intricacies of crafting the perfect slow-cooked tomato sauce, exploring various techniques, ingredient combinations, and tips to elevate your culinary creation beyond the ordinary.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
THE BEST TOMATO SAUCE
There are about as many versions of tomato sauce as there are cooks in the world. The Italian-American heritage of one of our test-kitchen team members informed the development of this recipe, leading us to a version of her family's favorite tomato sauce. A variety of canned tomatoes adds richness. A long simmer helps the flavors meld and results in a sauce that is perfect on pasta or nestled around chicken cutlets or meatballs.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories condiment
Time 1h50m
Yield 12 cups
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine the olive oil and garlic cloves in a large saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes (do not let the garlic burn). Once the cloves are nicely browned remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the onion to the garlic-infused oil and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Crush the can of San Marzano tomatoes into the pot with your hands, then fill the can with water and pour it into the sauce. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, granulated garlic, onion powder and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finely chop the reserved browned garlic cloves and add to the sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan rind, if using, and the basil sprig. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has deepened in color and reduced slightly, about 1 hour 30 minutes (if the sauce begins to scorch, lower the heat). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Discard the Parmesan rind and basil before serving.
SLOW COOKER TOMATO SAUCE
This tangy, zesty sauce instantly became a family favorite. I created it when my family came in from out of town; everyone raved about it and my husband begs me to make it all the time.
Provided by Michele McCormick
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 10h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place tomatoes, onion, garlic, and olive oil in a slow cooker. Season with oregano, basil, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon.
- Cover, and cook 10 to 15 hours on Low. The longer you simmer it the more flavorful it becomes. At 10 hours it's really good, but at 15 its even better.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 104.7 calories, Carbohydrate 5.5 g, Fat 9.3 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 1.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 393.6 mg, Sugar 3 g
THE BEST SLOW-COOKED TOMATO SAUCE
Steps:
- Procedures 1 Adjust oven rack to lower position and preheat oven to 300°F. Place tomatoes in a large bowl. Using your hands, crush the tomatoes by squeezing them in your fingers until pieces no larger than 1/2-inch remain. Transfer 3 cups of crushed tomatoes to a sealed container and reserve in the refrigerator until step 4. 2 Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven until butter is melted. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Add pepper flakes and oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, carrot, onion, and basil, and stir to combine. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over high heat. 3 Cover Dutch oven with lid slightly ajar and transfer to oven. Cook, stirring once every 1 to 2 hours, until reduced by about half and darkened to a deep red, 5 to 6 hours (reduce oven temperature if the sauce is bubbling too rapidly or the browned bits begin to turn too dark). 4 Remove from oven. Using tongs, discard onion halves, carrots, and basil stems. Add reserved tomatoes to sauce and stir to combine. Add fish sauce, if using. Season generously with salt and pepper and stir in minced herbs along with additional olive oil as desired. Serve immediately, or allow to cool at room temperature, transfer to airtight containers, and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Sauce can also be frozen in sealed containers for up to 6 months. To reheat, warm very gently in a saucepan with 1/2 cup water, stirring until it all melts and heats through.
MEAT-LOVER'S SLOW COOKER SPAGHETTI SAUCE
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
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
SLOW-ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE
I love slowly-roasted tomato sauce, and here's an excellent recipe! You'll have trouble getting your family to wait until it's on the table. :)
Provided by Julesong
Categories Sauces
Time 3h5m
Yield 1 batch sauce
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and basil.
- Pour half of this mixture onto a cookie sheet and spread it around.
- Place tomatoes cut-side down on cookie sheet on top of the oil blend.
- Drizzle tomatoes with remaining oil, then sprinkle with the maple sugar and salt.
- Bake slowly in oven at 300 degrees for 3 hours.
- Blend or process when done.
- Serve hot over pasta, rice, or white beans (If you don't have 3 hours, you can roast them at 400 for 30 to 45 minutes or broil for 15 minutes, but it won't taste the same).
Tips:
- Select high-quality tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best taste. Fresh, in-season tomatoes are ideal, but canned whole tomatoes can also be used.
- Roast the tomatoes: Roasting the tomatoes intensifies their flavor and sweetness. You can roast them whole or halved, with or without olive oil.
- Use a variety of herbs and spices: Italian seasoning, garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme are all classic additions to tomato sauce. Feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.
- Simmer the sauce for a while: Simmering the sauce for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer it, the better it will taste.
- Use a good quality olive oil: Olive oil is an important ingredient in tomato sauce, so use a good quality oil that has a fruity, peppery flavor.
- Don't overcook the sauce: Overcooked tomato sauce can become bitter and lose its fresh flavor. Simmer it just until it has reached your desired consistency.
- Season to taste: Be sure to taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your preference.
Conclusion:
With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a delicious and versatile tomato sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you're making pasta, pizza, or a hearty stew, a good tomato sauce is essential. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this slow-cooked tomato sauce a try. You won't be disappointed!
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