• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • Privacy Policy, Disclosures & Disclaimers
    • Contact / PRs / Review Policy / Link Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Ingredients
  • As Seen
  • Credit Crunch Munch
  • Extra Veg
  • Work With Me
Fuss Free Flavours

Fuss Free Flavours

Easy recipes you will make again | Travel | Reviews

  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Quick & Easy
    • Recipes by Course
      • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
      • Main Meal
      • Side Dishes
      • Drinks
      • Starters & Light Bites
      • Desserts & Puddings
      • Baking
        • Biscuits and cookies
        • Bread Recipes
        • Cake
        • Cupcakes
        • Muffins
        • Pie
      • Soup
      • Salad
      • Dips, Dressings, & Sauces
      • Easy Jam, Jelly & Preserve Recipes
    • Recipes by Cuisine
      • American
      • Chinese
      • French
      • Italian
      • Other Cuisines
      • Vegetarian Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
  • Recipes by Main Ingredient
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Lamb
    • Game
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Beans & Lentils
    • Pasta
    • Grains & Rice
    • Fruit
    • Vegetables
    • Dairy
    • Booze
  • Travel
    • Rest of Europe
    • French
    • Rest of the world
    • Food Origins and Stories
You are here: Home / Recipes / Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce (Marinara Sauce) – Perfect for Pasta or Pizzas (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce (Marinara Sauce) – Perfect for Pasta or Pizzas (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Published on January 30, 2018 by Helen Best-Shaw 32 Comments
Last Updated on March 30, 2020

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This throw it all in and forget it recipe for a rich and intense fat free slow cooker marinara or tomato sauce will become a freezer staple. Perfect for pizzas or pasta, it’s a simple slow cooker recipe that delivers scrumptious results every time. Gluten free and vegan.

A jar of tasty marinara or tomato sauce without the guilt - it's fat free, and made in the slow cooker

I’m a big fan of preparing ahead and freezing, finding that for meals during the week having something prepared earlier sitting in the freezer really cuts down on my stress levels and lets me make a healthy and tasty dish in no time at all. This slow cooker fat free tomato sauce is a perfect example, and has so many uses.

This tomato sauce is frugal, rich and intense and will become your favourite tomato or marinara sauce in no time.  Best of all the preparation is almost completely hands off – you need to do a little chopping then chuck everything into your slow cooker, pop the lid on and leave overnight.

Long slow cooking will reduce the canned tomatoes to a rich and intense sauce.   To intensify the flavour even more leave the lid of the slow cooker ajar for the last hour of cooking time. One huge advantage of making a recipe like this in the slow cooker is that it really does not matter if you leave it coking for an extra hour or two.

Ingredients for slow cooker marinara sauce ready for cooking.

Everything You Need To Know

  • How do I make Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce?
  • Can I Make This Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce Without A Slow Cooker?
  • Can I Freeze Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce?
  • What Can I do with Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce
  • Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce (Marinara Sauce)
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes
  • Love canned tomatoes? Find lots of fuss free easy recipes using tinned tomatoes here …

How do I make Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce?

This is a very straightforward and easy recipe. There’s no no need to spend time spent frying onions or anything like that: simply place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and switch it on the low setting. Eight hours later, blitz the sauce with a stick blender and it’s all done. Use there and then, or let it cool and freeze it for later.

And after - a slow cooker of fat free tomato of marinara sauce.

Can I Make This Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce Without A Slow Cooker?

Easily! Use a heavy casserole dish with a lid, and cook the sauce for a couple of hours on the lowest setting on your stove top.  You may need to use a diffuser plate under the pot depending how how much control you have over the burners, and give the pot a stir from time to time.

Can I Freeze Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce?

Yes, absolutely! What I like to do is to freeze it in an ice cube tray, then transfer the frozen cubes into a plastic bag. That way it’ll keep in the freezer for a few months, and it’s so easy to pull a couple of cubes out, let them defrost and stir into some pasta for a fuss free meal.

Freeze our slow cooker marinara sauce in individual portions for quick and easy pasta meals.

What Can I do with Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

I use this sauce as is on pasta and home-made pizza, but it’s easy to add some variation. Here are a few ideas:

  • Fry some mince until browned, add the tomato sauce and let it heat through. Spag bol in minutes!
  • Cook some spicy sausages, add tomato sauce and serve with delicious buttery mashed potatoes.
  • Add a cube to stews for a hint of rich tomato flavours.
  • Add to soups or risottos
  • Use as a sauce in this Corned Beef Pasta Bake

Rich and flavourful crock pot fat free tomato marinara sauce. Perfect for pizzas or pasta.

Tried this recipe?If you try this recipe please tag #FussFreeFlavours on Instagram or Twitter. It is amazing for me when for me when you make one of my recipes and I really do love to see them. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thanks for reading Fuss Free Flavours!
Delicious fat free slow cooker tomato sauce. Perfect for pasta and pizza.
Print Recipe
BookmarkSaved!
4.89 from 9 votes

Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce (Marinara Sauce)

This throw it all in and forget it recipe for a rich and intense fat free slow cooker marinara or tomato sauce will become a freezer staple. Perfect for pizzas or pasta, it's a simple slow cooker recipe that delivers scrumptious results every time. Gluten free and vegan. 
Servings: 12 people
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time8 hrs
Total Time8 hrs 5 mins
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 800 g canned tomatoes ((2 cans))
  • 3 medium tomatoes ((roughly chopped))
  • 1 small onion ((peeled and roughly chopped))
  • 3 garlic cloves ((peeled and sliced in half))
  • 2 tbs tomato puree
  • 2 stalks fresh basil
  • pinch dried oregano
  • salt and pepper ((to taste))
Metric - USA Cups

Instructions

  • Simple pop all the ingredients into your slow cooker, and stir.
  • Cook on low, with the lid on, for about 8 hours or overnight.  If needed cook for another hour or two with the lid of the slow cooker slightly ajar to reduce further.
  • Blitz to a smooth sauce with a stick blender. 
  • Allow to cool before packing into tubs, glass jars or ice cube trays ready for freezing.

Notes

This is such an adaptable recipe and really is as simple as throwing it all in the slow cooker and leaving it to cook.
For a touch of heat add a pinch of chilli powder - take care though as the long slow cooking will intensify the heat.
You will get better results from using a mid range brand of canned tomatoes, not the most expensive, but not the cheapest which can be watery and taste metallic.
Freezes well.
All slow cookers behave differently, the sauce may need more or less time depending on the wattage and if your cooker has any hot spots.
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Fat Free Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce (Marinara Sauce)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 27
% Daily Value*
Sodium 89mg4%
Potassium 236mg7%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 240IU5%
Vitamin C 8.2mg10%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian, Slow Cooker
Keyword: slow cooker tomato sauce
Delicious Recipes Emailed To You!Get easy, tasty recipes for FREE when you subscribe! Click to Subscribe Now!!
Share by Text

Love canned tomatoes? Find lots of fuss free easy recipes using tinned tomatoes here …

A collage of recipes using canned tomatoes

Or, since cheese and tomato is a classic combination, how about making my easy hot cheese dip for a pre-dinner treat?

Related Posts

  • One Ingredient Maple Butter
    Easy One Ingredient Maple Butter
  • Go oven-less with this delicious slow cooker cornbread. A quick and easy recipe that cooks in your crock pot or slow cooker.
    Slow Cooker Cornbread
  • jar of dark and rich vegan chocolate sauce, made with just two ingredients
    Easy 2 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Sauce {Gluten Free}
  • Vegan Matcha Muffins

Filed Under: Dips, Dressings & Sauces, Italian, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Recipes by Course, Recipes by Cuisine, Recipes by Main Ingredient, Vegan Recipes, Vegetables, Vegetarian Recipes Ingredients: Garlic, Herbs, Onions, Tomatoes, Tomatoes (Canned / Tinned)

Previous Post: « Easy Berry Muffins Recipe
Next Post: Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Felesha Bell

    5 stars
    What a fabulous idea to make this in the slow cooker!!! I absolutely love the ice cube tray tip!! Great pics!

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make, let the cooker get on with it and go and do something else. Ideal .

      Reply
  2. meeta

    5 stars
    Like you I am a huge fan of pre-preparations. It makes weeknight cooking a lot easier. I am just loving the thickness of the marinara sauce here. I do not have a slow cooker but can imagine it would work just as well in my römertopf!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’m sure it would work Meeta.

      Reply
  3. Lisa Huff

    5 stars
    Hmmm, why didn’t I think about making tomato sauce in my slow cooker?! Going to try!

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to do Lisa, and use the time to do other stuff.

      Reply
  4. Dannii

    You can’t beat a homemade tomato pasta sauce – we actually just posted one ourselves. It beats the Jarred stuff any day.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I saw yours yesterday, when I was working on finishing my draft which I made and shot way back in November!

      Reply
  5. Sarah Irving | The Urban Wanderer

    Excellent recipe, Helen, and the perfect way to make batch sauces. It can sometimes be a bit of a bind having to pull everything together all of the time, so I love the idea of making and storing some for later – especially as the slow cooker does the work while I play. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Such a good way of using the slow cooker, and making batch sauces is ideal for saving time later.

      Reply
  6. Veena Azmanov

    5 stars
    Love a good marinara sauce. I love making mine in a slow cooker and freezing too!! That helps me on days when I am busy with my cake orders. Love the pretty red color…

    Reply
    • Helen

      I imagine that the last thing you want to do after one of your amazing cakes is to cook anything!

      Reply
  7. Olivia Jade??? (@dungareesdonuts)

    Oh wow, I was weirdly looking for a recipe last night to make this. A lot of them over complicate it or taste nothing like the real thing. Just need to get a hand blender, and I can get making this for my weeks meal prep! x

    Reply
    • Helen

      you could pass it through a sieve or use a jug blender. But a stick blender is so cheap and such a useful thing to have.

      Reply
  8. Kate Williams

    Oh that looks lovely, we tend to make pasta sauces from scratch but doing them in the slow cooker would make it a lot easier!

    Reply
    • Helen

      So very easy Kate, and making a batch saves more time later.

      Reply
  9. Charli Bruce

    4 stars
    I love making homemade tomato sauce, the flavour you can get in it and just how fresh it tastes beats anything! I’m definitely going to try your recipe x

    Reply
    • Helen

      So much better than the jar versions available, and so easy to make.

      Reply
  10. Rachel

    I’ve got 2lbs of tomatoes sitting in my freezer so I think I know what I am going to be making! Thanks Helen.

    Reply
    • Helen

      use them, make the sauce and then refill the freezer!

      Reply
  11. Dena Jayne

    5 stars
    This looks yummy & sounds so easy to make! It’s also amazing that it’s freezable! x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Really handy to freeze, ready for easy use.

      Reply
  12. Liv @ Healthy Liv

    5 stars
    This looks delicious! I’ve never tried making tomato sauce in the slow cooker but it’s a great idea!

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to do Liv, and can spend the time doing something else entirely different.

      Reply
  13. Lynne Harper

    5 stars
    I love foods that you can make and store. Great for those days when your late in, just a simple heat, add pasta and parmesan yummy :0

    Reply
    • Helen

      I also have a tub of grated Parmesan in the freezer – ideal for a lazy super.

      Reply
  14. Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels

    5 stars
    This is a great sauce – I would use this a lot as we love pasta! I have never used a slow cooker to make a sauce. Kaz

    Reply
    • Helen

      I love my slow cooker sauces. throw it all in and go and do something fun, or sleep, whilst it cooks!

      Reply
  15. Louise

    Ooh, this sauce looks absolutely divine! I will definitely have to give it a try :)

    Louise x

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make, and so useful to have in the freezer ready to go.

      Reply
  16. Michelle

    Thank you for this recipe. I’m anxious to try it.
    Though it would admittedly not be **as** tasty, could you give a recommendation for how much dried basil might make for a good substitute in this recipe for the 2 stalks of fresh?

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’d think a teaspoon – I’m generally not a fan of dried herbs – I think that a woody herb like oregano would work better here.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
Twitter Logo, bluw circle with a white bird Facebook logo, blue square with a white F inside You Tube Logo, a red box with the words You Tube on the inside Pinterest Logo, a red circle with white P on the inside Instagram Logo, a rainbow box with a square and circle inside of it Flipboard Logo - Red square with a white F on the inside

Press/As Seen On

Image-1

Subscribe

Footer

Latest Posts

Easy Chocolate Tiffin

Easy Chocolate Tiffin

Easy Peri Peri Fries – Nandos Chips

Easy Peri Peri Fries – Nandos Chips

Peri Peri Seasoning

Peri Peri Seasoning

Easy Lamb Koftas Recipe

Easy Lamb Koftas Recipe

One Bowl Cocoa Brownies

One Bowl Cocoa Brownies

Shish Kebab Seasoning

Shish Kebab Seasoning

Privacy Policy, Disclosures & Disclaimers

Copyright © 2022 Helen Best-Shaw / Fuss Free Flavours - Easy Recipes You Will Make Again