Slow Cooker Zero Point Tomato Sauce: Healthy, Flavorful & Weight Watchers Friendly Meal Prep
For far too long, the idea of crafting a homemade slow cooker tomato sauce has lingered on my mental “to-make” list, often overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of daily life. But with vegetables standing proudly as zero-point heroes on Weight Watchers, the decision became clear: it was time to whip up a generous batch of this healthy, flavorful sauce. Not only would it provide a fantastic foundation for countless future pasta dishes and other meals, but it also offered an ingenious way to effortlessly sneak in extra vegetables – a task that, let’s be honest, can sometimes feel like a culinary challenge for many of us! The result? A truly delightful, homemade Zero Point Tomato Sauce that has quickly become a household favorite.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its sheer simplicity. All the ingredients are effortlessly combined and left to simmer gently in the slow cooker, transforming over hours into a rich, aromatic, and deeply flavorful sauce. While the culinary world abounds with a myriad of pasta sauce recipes, this particular rendition truly stands out. It’s incredibly versatile, packed with wholesome goodness, and delivers on taste in spades. It has earned a resounding two thumbs up from my family and me! So, if you’re on the hunt for a straightforward, vegetable-loaded sauce that can elevate your weeknight pasta dinners, serve as a robust base for your favorite casseroles, or simply add a burst of fresh tomato flavor to any dish, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try. It’s perfect for meal prepping and ensures you always have a healthy option on hand.
Why This Homemade Tomato Sauce Will Transform Your Kitchen!
1. Fuel Your Body with Nutrients, Not Unnecessary Sugar
The supermarket shelves are often lined with pasta sauces that, unfortunately, hide surprising amounts of added sugar, excessive sodium, and various preservatives. These ingredients can undermine your healthy eating goals and offer minimal nutritional value. By making your own Zero Point Tomato Sauce at home, you take full control of what goes into your meals. You’re ensuring a sauce brimming with the natural goodness of fresh vegetables and ripe tomatoes, free from hidden sugars and artificial additives. Tomatoes, in particular, are a fantastic source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known for its health benefits. When slow-cooked, lycopene becomes even more bioavailable, meaning your body can absorb more of it!
2. Experience a Flavor Profile That Rivals Any Store-Bought Brand
There’s an undeniable difference between homemade and store-bought, and this sauce exemplifies it perfectly. The slow simmering process allows all the flavors from the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs to meld together beautifully, creating a depth and richness that simply can’t be replicated in a jarred sauce. As it cooks throughout the day, your kitchen will be filled with a truly inviting and comforting aroma – a delightful bonus that truly makes your house feel like a home. This isn’t just a sauce; it’s a sensory experience that elevates your entire meal.
3. Reduce Food Waste with Versatile Veggie Options
This homemade tomato sauce is an incredible vehicle for using up any vegetables that might be lingering in your crisper drawer, on the verge of going bad. Beyond the core ingredients of onion, zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers, feel free to experiment with what you have on hand. Mushrooms, spinach (added at the end), celery, or even a touch of sweet potato can be seamlessly incorporated. It’s a smart and sustainable way to ensure no nutritious produce goes to waste, making your cooking more economical and environmentally friendly.
Essential Ingredients for Your Wholesome Tomato Sauce:
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable sauce. We focus on pantry staples and fresh produce to ensure maximum flavor and nutritional benefits. Opt for high-quality canned tomatoes for the best results, as they form the backbone of our sauce.
- 2- 28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes
- 1- 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1- 5.5 oz can tomato paste
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or diced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of each or to taste
- ¼ cup Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce (optional, for a subtle kick)
Crafting Your Perfect Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce (Step-by-Step Guide):
- **Prepare Your Slow Cooker:** Ensure your crock pot is clean and ready for action. Set it to the ‘Low’ heat setting, allowing it to gently warm up as you add your ingredients.
- **Combine All Ingredients:** Carefully pour both cans of crushed tomatoes and the diced tomatoes into the slow cooker. Add the can of tomato paste, which will contribute to the sauce’s rich color and depth. Next, add all your prepared vegetables: the diced onion, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, and minced garlic cloves. Finally, sprinkle in your dry herbs – oregano, basil, thyme, paprika, and the bay leaves. Season generously with salt and pepper to your preference. If you desire a touch of heat, now is the time to add the Frank’s RedHot Sauce. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined and coated.
- **Slow Cook to Perfection:** Secure the lid on your slow cooker and let the magic happen. Cook the sauce on the ‘Low’ setting for a minimum of 6 hours. This extended cooking time is crucial for developing deep, complex flavors and allowing the vegetables to become incredibly tender and meld seamlessly into the sauce.
- **Achieve Your Desired Consistency:** For beautifully incorporated vegetables, I often use a hand food chopper to dice my vegetables into very small pieces before adding them to the slow cooker. This ensures they practically dissolve into the sauce during cooking, creating a smooth texture without needing further blending. Alternatively, if you prefer a chunky sauce, you can simply leave the vegetables in larger pieces. If you enjoy a silky-smooth sauce, or if you left your vegetables in larger chunks, you can easily puree the sauce once it’s done cooking. An immersion blender works wonders for this directly in the slow cooker, or you can transfer batches to a regular blender (exercise caution when blending hot liquids). Remove the bay leaves before blending.
- **Serve and Enjoy!** This recipe yields approximately 12 generous 1-cup servings of delicious, healthy tomato sauce. Perfect for immediate enjoyment or for meal prepping!
Each 1-cup serving of this sauce is packed with flavor and nutrition. Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutrition info for 1 cup: Calories 78, Fat 1 g, Saturated fat .1 g, Carbs 18 g, Fiber 4.42 g, Sugars 10.6 g, Sodium 638.59 mg, Protein 4 g.
Weight Watchers Points for Homemade Zero Point Tomato Sauce
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its incredible Weight Watchers friendliness. By carefully selecting ingredients, we’ve crafted a sauce that aligns perfectly with a healthy eating plan. Most of the ingredients are ZeroPoint foods, making this sauce a guilt-free addition to almost any meal.
- Canned, crushed tomatoes: 0 points
- Canned, diced tomatoes: 0 points
- Canned tomato paste: 4 points (for the entire can, distributed across 12 servings)
- Diced onion: 0 points
- Small zucchini diced: 0 points
- Diced carrots: 0 points
- Diced peppers: 0 points
- Garlic cloves diced: 0 points
- Oregano: 0 points
- Basil: 0 points
- Thyme: 0 points
- Bay leaves: 0 points
- Paprika: 0 points
- Salt and pepper: 0 points
- Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce: 0 points
Based on the Weight Watchers app recipe creator, this Homemade Zero Point Tomato Sauce comes out to 0 points per serving. This is largely due to the high volume of ZeroPoint vegetables and lean seasonings.
If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below for reference:
Freestyle: 0 SmartPoints
SmartPoints: 0 SP
Points Plus: 0PP
Customizing Your Zero Point Tomato Sauce: Variations & Substitutions
While delicious as is, this versatile slow cooker tomato sauce provides a fantastic canvas for experimentation. Feel free to adjust ingredients based on your personal preferences or what you have available.
- **Spice Level Adjustment:** The Frank’s RedHot Sauce is entirely optional. If you love a subtle, tangy heat, keep it in! For those who prefer a milder sauce, simply omit it. If you crave more heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices, or even a finely diced jalapeño or serrano pepper at the start of cooking.
- **Herb & Flavor Profile:** Don’t limit yourself to just basil, oregano, and thyme. For an even more robust flavor, consider adding a sprig of fresh rosemary or a bay leaf (remember to remove it before serving or blending). A touch of marjoram or a pre-made Italian seasoning blend can also enhance the taste. For a fresh burst, stir in some fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving.
- **Adding More Veggies:** This is where the “zero point” magic truly shines. Feel free to add more vegetables! Diced mushrooms, bell peppers of different colors, celery, or even a handful of fresh spinach (stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking) can boost nutrient content without adding points.
- **Sweetness Balance:** If your tomatoes are a bit acidic, a small amount of grated carrot (which is already in the recipe and 0 points) can naturally sweeten the sauce. For those not following WW points, a tiny pinch of sugar can also balance acidity, but it would add points.
- **Smoky Notes:** A hint of smoked paprika (already included) or even a very small amount of liquid smoke can add a delicious smoky depth to the sauce.
Expert Tips for Preparing & Storing Your Perfect Sauce:
To ensure your slow cooker tomato sauce turns out perfectly every time and to maximize its shelf life, keep these handy tips in mind:
- **Storage and Canning:** This sauce is excellent for batch cooking and preserving. If you’re interested in traditional canning, sterilize mason jars thoroughly. Once the sauce is cooked and still hot, fill the jars, leaving about a ½ inch headspace. Seal the jars with new lids and rings. Place the filled and sealed jars into a large pot or water bath canner, ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and process for 15 minutes (adjust to 20 minutes for altitudes between 1000 and 6000 ft, and 25 minutes for altitudes above 6000 ft). After processing, turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the hot water for 5 minutes before carefully removing them to cool on a towel on the counter. You’ll hear the satisfying “ping” as they seal. Alternatively, use your preferred home canning method.
- **Freezing for Convenience:** For an easier long-term storage solution, this sauce freezes beautifully. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers, heavy-duty freezer bags, or even ice cube trays for smaller, individual portions. Leave some headspace in containers, as liquids expand when frozen. Label with the date and contents. Frozen sauce can be stored for up to 3-6 months. To thaw, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight or gently reheat on the stovetop from frozen.
- **Consistency Control:** If you find your sauce is too thick after cooking, you can thin it out with a little vegetable broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, remove the lid for the last hour of cooking to allow some moisture to evaporate, or gently simmer it on the stovetop for a short period after cooking until it thickens.
- **Efficient Veggie Prep:** A good hand food chopper or a food processor can be a real time-saver when dicing all the vegetables. This ensures uniform pieces that cook down evenly and contribute to a smoother texture if you’re not planning to blend the sauce.
Delightful Ways to Serve Your Zero Point Tomato Sauce:
This versatile slow cooker tomato sauce isn’t just for pasta! Its rich, wholesome flavor makes it a perfect companion for a wide array of dishes. Here are some inspiring ideas to make the most of your homemade batch:
- **Classic Pasta Dish:** The most obvious, yet always satisfying. Toss with your favorite whole-wheat or zucchini noodles for a healthy, fulfilling meal.
- **Pizza Base:** Spread it generously on homemade pizza crusts or pita bread for a low-calorie, flavor-packed pizza.
- **Lasagna & Baked Ziti:** Use it as the robust foundation for healthier lasagna or baked ziti recipes, layering with lean protein and plenty of vegetables.
- **Shakshuka or Eggs in Purgatory:** Poach eggs directly in simmering sauce for a delicious and nutritious breakfast or brunch.
- **Soup or Stew Base:** Elevate the flavor of minestrone, vegetable stew, or even a hearty chili by using this sauce as a starting point.
- **Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan:** A perfect, lighter sauce for these comforting Italian-American classics.
- **Meatball or Sausage Sandwich Topper:** Spoon over lean turkey meatballs or grilled chicken sausage for a satisfying sandwich.
- **Dipping Sauce:** Serve warm with whole-grain breadsticks, raw vegetables, or even baked zucchini fries for a healthy snack.
- **Sloppy Joes:** Mix with lean ground turkey or beef for a healthier take on sloppy joes, served on whole-wheat buns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Zero Point Tomato Sauce:
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making and enjoying this slow cooker tomato sauce:
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you absolutely can! If using fresh tomatoes, you’ll need about 5-6 pounds of ripe, flavorful tomatoes (like Roma, San Marzano, or other plum varieties). You may want to blanch, peel, and seed them first, or simply dice and add. Be aware that fresh tomatoes contain more water, so the sauce might need to simmer longer, possibly with the lid ajar, to reach your desired thickness.
Can I make this sauce on the stovetop?
While designed for the slow cooker for convenience and flavor development, you can adapt it to the stovetop. Sauté the diced onions, carrots, and bell peppers in a little olive oil spray until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Then add the tomatoes, paste, herbs, and spices. Simmer on low heat, covered, for at least 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes if you want a thicker sauce.
How long does this sauce last in the refrigerator?
Properly stored in an airtight container, your homemade tomato sauce will last for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for meal prepping a week’s worth of healthy meals.
Is this sauce truly freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! Freezing is an excellent way to preserve this sauce for longer. As mentioned in our tips, it can last for 3-6 months in the freezer without losing its quality or flavor. Thaw in the refrigerator or reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I add meat to this sauce?
Yes, you can certainly add lean ground meat like turkey or extra-lean ground beef for a heartier sauce. Brown the meat first on the stovetop, drain any fat, and then add it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. Keep in mind that adding meat will change the Weight Watchers point value, so be sure to recalculate if you’re tracking points.
Explore More Healthy & Delicious Recipes:
If you loved this healthy and easy slow cooker tomato sauce, we’re confident you’ll enjoy these other fantastic recipes that align with a wholesome lifestyle:
- Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Spicy Ranch Zucchini Fries
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up
Homemade Zero Point Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2- 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
- 1- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1- 5.5 oz can tomato paste
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or diced
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 1 Tbsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper, 1 tsp of each or to taste
- 1/4 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce *optional, for a subtle kick, adjusts to your spice preference.
Instructions
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Set your crock pot to low. Add all the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, diced onion, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, minced garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaves, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional Frank’s RedHot Sauce to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
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Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. This allows the flavors to deepen and the vegetables to become wonderfully tender.
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For a smoother sauce, use a hand food chopper to dice your vegetables finely beforehand. Alternatively, if you prefer a perfectly smooth consistency, you can puree the entire sauce with an immersion blender (after removing the bay leaves) directly in the slow cooker once cooking is complete, or transfer to a stand blender in batches.
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Once done, remove the bay leaves, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Enjoy your homemade, healthy tomato sauce!
Notes
Based on the Weight Watchers app recipe creator, this sauce is 0 SmartPoints for Freestyle, SmartPoints, and Points Plus plans. This is largely due to the high volume of ZeroPoint vegetables and lean seasonings.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Individual results may vary based on exact ingredients and preparation.
Additional Info
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