The Best Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe Ever
Tomato sauce is a versatile and flavorful condiment made primarily from tomatoes, often cooked down to a thick consistency with herbs, spices, and sometimes additional ingredients like onions, garlic, and olive oil. It’s a staple in many cuisines, particularly Italian, where it’s the foundation of dishes like pasta, pizza, and lasagna.
Nutritionally, tomato sauce is low in calories, with a typical serving providing around 20-30 calories. It is rich in vitamins A and C, which support immune health and skin vitality. Additionally, tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
I’ll be guiding you on making the best homemade tomato sauce with my special recipe. This homemade tomato sauce recipe is easy and simple for anyone to follow.
Best Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Large saucepan Or you use Dutch oven
- Dutch oven Or you use a large saucepan
- wooden spoon Or you use Spatula
- Spatula Or you use a wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 Medium onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 cans 28 oz of whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Sugar optional, to balance acidity
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 Bay leaf
- ¼ cup Fresh basil chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil:
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic:
- Add the chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they become translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Tomato Paste:
- Pour in the canned tomatoes along with their juice. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can crush the tomatoes by hand or use a blender. Stir in the tomato paste.
- Season:
- Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. If the tomatoes are very acidic, add the optional sugar to balance the flavors.
- Simmer:
- Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan partially with a lid and let the sauce simmer for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and deepen in flavor.
- Adjust and Serve:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaf. If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender until the desired consistency is reached. Garnish with fresh basil if using.
Nutrition
Tomato sauce is widely used as a base for pasta dishes, in soups and stews, as a topping for meats and vegetables, and even as a dip. Its rich flavor and versatility make it a kitchen essential, perfect for adding depth and a tangy sweetness to a wide variety of dishes. Whether homemade or store-bought, tomato sauce is a go-to ingredient that enhances the taste and nutrition of meals.
