Combine all ingredients except the basil, parmesan, and meatballs (optional), in a large slow cooker or CrockPot. Stir well, adding just ¼-1/2 cup of water if necessary to combine everything. Drizzle with a touch of olive oil.
Set crockpot to low and cook for 5-6 hours.
Optional: remove the lid and turn on high for about 30 minutes to help the liquid thicken up a bit more. If you’re adding meatballs or some other meat, stir them in first and then turn it to high and cook for the additional time.
Stir in the chopped fresh basil and serve. Serve this as a side dish, or add protein or grains to make it a full meal. Try adding chickpeas to make it an easy vegan meal!
Notes
I used canned tomatoes because the fresh market tomatoes are really expensive right now, but if you're up to your ears in fresh tomatoes, then I recommend using them instead!