Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

I was searching for a new tomato-based sauce that I could use on (whole or ground) Italian sausage sandwiches. It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce. That’s a great way to beat the weather.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

The Perfect Sauce For Anything

This slow cooker marinara sauce is a great all-around marinara sauce. Double the recipe and keep some in the freezer. It’s great to have on hand for those nights when you need a simple meal. Great on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, you name it.

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Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size…
  • Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
  • Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…

Add a bit of dried red pepper flake for a little kick, if you want.

Try my quick fix messy meatball sandwich.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

 It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, Italian, sauce, slow cooker, spaghetti
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 cups
Calories 21kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to your slow cooker set to low heat.
  • Stir and cook 8 hours, stirring every hour or so.
  • If the mixture gets too thick add a little water and stir.
  • Remove the bay leaves before using.

Notes

Store in the fridge until ready to use. Leftovers can be frozen for later.

Nutrition

Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

​​Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners…
  • Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
  • Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

I can now throw away the old recipe I had for making slow cooker French dip sandwiches. You know the one. Beef, French onion soup, beef broth and beer and that’s it. I thought that was pretty good in fact. But there’s better and this is it. This version takes that concept to new places. The combination of soy sauce, red wine vinegar and spices really gives these sandwiches a rich fantastic flavor. It is totally unlike the flavor of any dip sandwich I’d had or made before. Of course the meat is fall apart tender, but it’s tasty through-and-through. And the dipping sauce? Straw-worthy.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

Save The Bun! Save The Bun!

I put fresh mozzarella slices on the bottom slices of bread before piling them high with the moist meat when I made this slow cooker French dip sandwich. The cheese helps keep the bread from getting too soggy. That may seem odd since you’re going to end up dipping the sandwich anyways. But you don’t want the entire thing to just fall apart. The cheese helps prevent that.

My rule with a messy sandwich has always been: once you pick it up, don’t set it down. Then you won’t have any ‘problems’. And remember, the ‘messier the better’ rule applies here. So pile it high and dunk it deep!

Sale
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size…
  • Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
  • Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…

I love sandwiches topped with tender slow-cooked beef. Try my spicy Italian and beef debris po boy sandwiches too.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

I can now throw away the old recipe I had for making slow cooker French dip sandwiches. This version takes that concept to new places.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 40 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 2863kcal

Ingredients

For the shredded beef

For the sandwiches

Instructions

For the shredded beef

  • Brown the roast in a large pot or Dutch oven if desired.
  • Place remaining beef ingredients into a slow cooker set to high and stir to combine.
  • Add the beef, cover, and cook 5 hours until the beef is fall-apart tender.
  • Remove beef (careful as it will crumble) and shred completely. Return to slow cooker for 30 more minutes.

For the sandwiches

  • Slather rolls with mayo.
  • Add cheese.
  • Top with meat and peppers and serve with a bowl of additional slow cooker juices for dipping.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins.

Nutrition

Calories: 2863kcal | Carbohydrates: 242g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 180g | Saturated Fat: 96g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 2230mg | Potassium: 1658mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 142g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 14mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

​​Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners…
  • Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
  • Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef

Wow. Just wow. I admit, I usually make quick tacos when I’m making tacos. Ya know the kind. Brown some ground beef with taco seasoning. Add some taco sauce. Boom. Done. And good. Well, that version is good. But this slow-cooker shredded Mexican beef is better.

Sure it takes a day to make the beef, but man is it ever worth it. The meat comes out unbelievably flavorful and tender and juice. It has a bit of a kick, but not so much that your I-don’t-like-heat friends won’t like it. There’s nothing it isn’t good on, from tacos to nachos to quesadillas to burritos to whatever.

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Nachos

Add Some Spicy Sauce

If you’re looking for a great spicy sauce to top your nachos (or tacos) with, try our Southwestern sauce. It really goes well with this slow-cooker shredded Mexican beef. Taco sauce is a great topper too. Or even just ‘plain old’ sour cream.

Sale
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size…
  • Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
  • Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…

Also try my Mexican beef ribs and my slow cooker Mongolian beef.

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Nachos
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef

Sure it takes a day to make the beef, but man is it ever worth it. The meat comes out unbelievably flavorful and tender and juicy. It has a bit of a kick, but not so much that your I-don’t-like-heat friends won’t like it. 
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword beef, crockpot, Mexican, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 316kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all but the roast in a small bowl.
  • Rub the spice mixture over the roast, getting all sides.
  • Place roast into a slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until fall-apart tender.
  • Remove roast (carefully, as it will tend to fall apart) to a cutting board and chop or shred as desired.
  • Return to the slow cooker for serving.

Notes

The meat gets even better the next day. I made this on a Sunday for several easy weekday meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 621mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

​​Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners…
  • Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
  • Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Sure, I normally roast my garlic in the oven or on the grill, but I found this technique which uses a slow cooker to be completely fool-proof, and it has the added benefit of making the house smell wonderful all day long. Slow cooker roasted garlic is easier than the same thing made any other way. And cleanup is a breeze, too.

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Storing Your Garlic

Slow cooker roasted garlic will last up to 1 week in the fridge. Keep the final product in a tightly sealed container or resealable baggie. Roasted garlic is perfect for making our roasted garlic hummus and roasted garlic salad dressing.

Sale
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size…
  • Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
  • Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…

You can always roast garlic in the oven instead!

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Sure, I normally roast my garlic in the oven or on the grill, but I found this technique which uses a slow cooker to be completely fool-proof, and it has the added benefit of making the house smell wonderful all day long. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, garlic, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 4 heads
Calories 42kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut 1/2″ off the pointed end of each bulb.
  • Place bulbs onto aluminum foil and drizzle with a little olive oil.
  • Seal and place into slow cooker.
  • Cook on low 3-4 hours or until the garlic is soft.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before squeezing the heads to remove the roasted garlic.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container or you’ll give your fridge a garlic aroma.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

​​Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners…
  • Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
  • Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Wow. Slow cooker caramelized onions were so much better than I ever thought they could be. They were incredibly tasty. And perfect on grilled cheese sandwiches. And on burgers, in French onion dip or soup. Any recipe that calls for onions needs caramelized onions.

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

The Easiest Caramelized Onions Ever.

You might get thrown out of a fancy (or actually, even a not-so-fancy) restaurant kitchen if you suggested making slow cooker caramelized onions. But you won’t get thrown out of my kitchen. I’d make these again in a heartbeat. My favorite onions to use are Vidalia onions, but unfortunately they aren’t available for very long each year.

Sale
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size…
  • Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
  • Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…

Try my blue cheese burgers with caramelized onions.

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

This recipe is sized for a 4-6 quart slow cooker. You want to use enough onions to fill the cooker at least halfway.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, onion, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 284kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add onions to slow cooker set on Low.
  • Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with salt and thyme, if using.
  • Stir and cover and cook 10 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • If you desire a darker, richer color, remove the lid from the cooker cook another hour or two stirring often.
  • Keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

Great on hamburgers and hot dogs, too!

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 835mg | Potassium: 994mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

​​Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners…
  • Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
  • Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

It’s not as good as you think. It’s even better. This slow cooker dulce de leche is creamy, sweet, and oh so tasty. I started a batch first thing in the morning. By the time dinner was done that evening, I was enjoying a nice bowl of ice cream. Drizzled with this amazing caramel sauce, it was fantastic. Creamy. Sweet. So much richer than just caramel. It sorta reminds me of toffee, too. Or maybe even butterscotch. And oh, did the house ever have a fantastic aroma! It actually reminded me of having a caramel candle burning.

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

Storing The Results

Slow cooker dulce de leche sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, but you won’t have to worry about it being around that long. It’s so creamy delicious you’ll find yourself craving it time and time again. Heck, grab some cheap ice cream. This stuff’ll make it taste expensive and fancy fru-fru!

Sale
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size…
  • Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that…
  • Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking…

I love this stuff on some homemade chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

It’s not as good as you think, it’s even better. This slow cooker dulce de leche is creamy, sweet, and oh so tasty. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword caramel, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 5 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 3kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Divide the condensed milk between the jars. Seal tightly.
  • Place jars into your crockpot so they are not touching and add enough water so that it covers the jars by 1″-2″.
  • Turn crockpot on low and cook for 10 hours.
  • Jars will be very hot when you remove them. Use tongs.
  • Let jars cool completely.

Notes

Jars will last in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 3kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 4mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

​​Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners…
  • Package Includes: Six (6) Reynolds Kitchens Slow…
  • Easy Cleanup: These strong, reliable slow cooker…