Slow Cooker Homemade Tomato Sauce | Walking on Sunshine (2024)

Published: Jan 10, 2022 · Modified: Apr 18, 2024 by Lois · As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links · 3 Comments

Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce made with meatballs served over cooked pasta makes a delicious meal any night of the week.

Cooking the sauce low and slow all day is another family friendly crock pot recipe. It also helps make the house smells like Little Italy!

My recipe for Homemade Tomato Sauce with Meatballs is one of those recipes that I don't really have a recipe. I mean, not one written down. It's a recipe I've developed over the 30 plus years I've been married.

This is the first time I'm actually writing it down. Silly, I know. But like any other good Italian cook I've always just added a little of this, a little of that and my delicious tomato sauce was made!

If you've been a follower of my site for awhile, you'll know that when I first was married I didn't know how to cook anything.

I finally asked my mom had to make homemade tomato sauce for meatballs. Of course my mom didn't have a recipe written down either. Over the years I've adapated the recipe my mom dictated to me over the phone with what my family enjoys.

lIf you grow tomatoes, check out my posts on how to grow tomatoes and how to peel tomatoes.

Crock Pot Tomato Sauce

You can make this recipe in a crock pot or on top of the stove in a heavy pan. I like to use my crco*k pot because there's no risk of burning the sauce while I'm busy working.

But when I'm pressed for time, I will put out my heavy saucepan and make it like I did when I was first married. Check out these instructions for cooking homemade Italian Spaghetti Sauce on the stovetop!

I hope you'll use this recipe as a guide and adjust the seasonings to your family's taste. Because that's what all good home-cooks do. We cook for our family.

How to Freeze Cooked Ground Beef

When I make homemade meatballs, I usually make more than my family will eat for one meal. What I like to do is make around 15 or 20 meatballs but only add 6 or 8 to the crock pot with the sauce ingredients.

Here's how to freeze cooked ground beef or partially cooked meatballs:

• Place the partially cooked meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Allow them to cool slightly.
• Then place the baking tray in the freezer to flash freeze the meatballs for about 30 minutes.
• Once frozen, wrap them in aluminum foil and store in a freezer-safe plastic container or bag.

The next time you're making homemade tomato sauce, pull the frozen meatballs out of the freezer. Add them frozen to the slow cooker and they'll be cooked through by the time the homemade marinara sauce is done.

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Main Ingredients Needed

This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

Ingredients for the Meatballs

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Garlic
• Chopped onion
• Dried parsley
• Salt
• Pepper
• Egg
• Milk
• Vegetable oil for frying.

Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce

• Tomato puree
• Crushed tomatoes
• Garlic
• Dried basil
• Sugar
• Dried Parsley
• Water

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, and milk. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 2: Form the mixture into meatballs and refrigerate for 15 minutes. This will help them hold their shape during cooking.

Step 3: Heat a generous amount of oil in a heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown them evenly on all sides.

Step 4: Remove the browned meatballs from the pan and drain them briefly on paper towels. This will remove excess grease before adding them to your tomato sauce.

Step 5: Add all your tomato sauce ingredients directly to the slow cooker. If using whole tomatoes, gently break them up in the slow cooker using the back of a spoon or a meat chopper.Carefully add the meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they're partially submerged.

Slow Cooker Cooking Instructions

Step 6: Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through.

Storage Tips

Store the leftover sauce in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

You can also freeze the leftover sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

📖 Recipe Card

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!