Homemade Tomato Sauce
- Preparing Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Served Person: 4
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 large red onion finely diced
- 1 large mason jar of homemade crushed plum, tomatoes (uncooked) or 2, 28 ounce cans of crushed san marzano tomatoes. if the price doesn't blow your budget, opt for canned san marzano tomatoes from italy (sanmarzano and cento both use tomatoes from italy). the tomatoes i crush in the su
- 1-2 garlic cloves finely diced
- 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (for sautã©ing onion and garlic click here for a review of olive oils)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional if you have superb tomatoes standard for all other tomatoes)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (if you can find the imported kind f
- 4-5 basil leaves
- Carbohydrate 0.3402525 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.017115 g
- Fiber 0.139125 g
- Protein 0.0574875 g
- Saturated Fat 0.005145 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -6 (1g)
- Sodium 302.5434 mg
- Sugar 0.2011275 g
- Trans Fat 0.000735000000000002 g
- Calories 1 calories
My Simple, Yet Perfect, Homemade Tomato Sauce
As a busy working mom, time is my most precious commodity. Dinner needs to be on the table quickly, but it also needs to be delicious and healthy. That's why I've perfected this simple homemade tomato sauce recipe. It’s so easy, even on a hectic weeknight, you can whip up a batch and still have time for bedtime stories.
Forget those jars of processed sauce filled with preservatives and questionable ingredients. This recipe lets you control exactly what goes into your food, ensuring a vibrant, fresh flavor that elevates any pasta dish, pizza, or even a simple grilled cheese. The best part? It's surprisingly quick and doesn't require a culinary degree to master.
The foundation of this recipe is, of course, the tomatoes. I’ve experimented with various types, from homegrown plum tomatoes to store-bought San Marzano cans (Italian ones if your budget allows—they really make a difference!). The key is to use good quality tomatoes, no matter your choice. A large mason jar of crushed plum tomatoes from my own garden in the summer, or a couple of 28-ounce cans of San Marzanos during the winter, forms the base of my perfect sauce.
Beyond the tomatoes, it’s all about simple, fresh ingredients. A touch of finely diced onion and garlic adds depth and sweetness. A sprinkle of dried oregano (I always buy the imported kind if I can find it; the flavor is simply superior) and a pinch of sugar balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Freshly ground pepper and kosher salt season everything perfectly. And for a richer depth of flavour, a couple of tablespoons of olive oil (check out my favourite olive oil brands!) used for sautéing is a must.
One of the most important steps for this homemade tomato sauce is using a food mill. This inexpensive tool is a game changer. It effortlessly removes the seeds and skins, resulting in a beautifully smooth sauce with a concentrated flavor. Don’t skip this step! It only takes a few minutes and it's worth every second.
I've found that a 35-45 minute simmer is all it takes to develop the complex flavors of this sauce. Some recipes call for hours of simmering, but I’ve personally found that extending the cooking time past this point doesn't really add to the taste. In fact, it can actually make the sauce too thick, more like a gravy, which isn't my preferred texture.
This recipe is incredibly versatile. It's the perfect base for countless dishes. Use it as a simple pasta sauce, a pizza base, a filling for stuffed peppers, or even as a dipping sauce for bread. Its fresh, bright flavor always seems to elevate any dish. In fact, its versatility is part of what makes this a weekly staple in my kitchen. Because whether I am throwing together a simple pasta dinner or making something more elaborate, I can always rely on my homemade tomato sauce as a cornerstone.
I encourage you to try this recipe and make it your own. Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor to your preference. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or some fresh basil at the end for added freshness. Perhaps some fresh thyme or even a bay leaf. The possibilities are endless!
Making this sauce is more than just cooking; it's a small act of self-care amidst the chaos of life. The aroma that fills my kitchen while it simmers is incredibly comforting, almost therapeutic. And knowing that I created something so delicious and healthy from scratch? That’s a feeling that’s hard to beat. So grab your ingredients, and let’s get cooking!
The simple joy of homemade sauce. It’s about the warmth of the kitchen, the satisfaction of creating something delicious with your own hands, and the joy of sharing a meal made with love. This homemade tomato sauce recipe isn't just a recipe; it’s a piece of my heart, and a testament to the simple pleasures of home cooking. Enjoy!
Step-by-step
- Start with a medium sized pot with a lid.
- Begin to heat your pot and thereafter (about 4-5 minutes later) add the finely diced onions and garlic (along with a bit of salt and pepper).
- Sauté the onions and garlic until the mixture becomes translucent and, thereafter, add the crushed tomatoes and stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then set your heat to simmer.
- Next, add the sugar, dried oregano, pepper, and salt to your pot and mix well.
- Let the mixture simmer for 35-45 minutes without the lid (you can keep the lid on but your sauce will become a bit thicker).
- You'll want to mix the sauce every 15 minutes or so.
- Once the sauce has finished cooking transfer the contents of the pot to a food mill; note, the food mill should sit on a large bowl to catch the processed tomato sauce.
- A food mill is a great, inexpensive, tool and it yields a perfect consistency for tomato sauce (and also opens up the flavor of all the ingredients).
