How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce

When it comes to Italian cuisine, there’s nothing quite like the richness and depth of a homemade tomato sauce. Whether you’re making a classic spaghetti dinner, topping a pizza, or creating a delicious dipping sauce, this homemade tomato sauce recipe is sure to become your go-to. It’s packed with fresh flavors and is much healthier than store-bought versions. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make!

In this post, we’ll show you how to make a simple, yet flavorful tomato sauce from scratch using basic ingredients. It’s perfect for pasta dishes, pizza, or any recipe that calls for a rich, tangy sauce. Let’s dive into it!

Why Make Homemade Tomato Sauce?

Making your own tomato sauce has several benefits:

• Control the Ingredients: When you make your own sauce, you can avoid preservatives and excess sugars often found in store-bought options.
• Rich, Fresh Flavor: Fresh garlic, herbs, and ripe tomatoes give this sauce a rich flavor that’s unmatched by any jarred sauce.
• Customizable: You can adjust the seasoning to your liking, adding more herbs, a pinch of sugar to balance acidity, or even a spicy kick with red pepper flakes.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Tomato Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) crushed tomatoes (or 6-8 fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Heat Olive Oil:
   Start by heating the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
2. Sauté Onion & Garlic:
   Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add Tomatoes:
   Pour in the crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes) and stir well. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Season Your Sauce:
   Add the oregano, basil, sugar (if using), salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat). Stir everything together, and taste to adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Simmer the Sauce:
   Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally, and allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it simmers, the richer the sauce will taste. If it’s too thick, feel free to add a little water or broth to thin it out.
6. Optional: Blend the Sauce:
   If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pot. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, leave it as is.
7. Garnish and Serve:
   Once your sauce is ready, remove it from the heat. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Now, your sauce is ready to serve over pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks!

Serving Ideas:

This homemade tomato sauce is incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas for using it:

• Pasta: Toss it with spaghetti, penne, or your favorite pasta.
• Pizza: Spread it over pizza dough for a delicious base.
• Dipping Sauce: Serve it as a dipping sauce for garlic bread or mozzarella sticks.
• Lasagna: Use it as the base for your lasagna layer.

How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce

Recipe by The Slow Table TeamDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

70

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) crushed tomatoes (or 6-8 fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)

• Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

• Heat Olive Oil:
  Start by heating the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
• Sauté Onion & Garlic:
  Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add Tomatoes:
  Pour in the crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes) and stir well. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Season Your Sauce:
  Add the oregano, basil, sugar (if using), salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat). Stir everything together, and taste to adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Simmer the Sauce:
  Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally, and allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it simmers, the richer the sauce will taste. If it’s too thick, feel free to add a little water or broth to thin it out.
• Optional: Blend the Sauce:
  If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pot. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, leave it as is.
• Garnish and Serve:
  Once your sauce is ready, remove it from the heat. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Now, your sauce is ready to serve over pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks!

Tips & Variations:

• Fresh Tomatoes: If you have fresh tomatoes, you can peel and chop them to use instead of canned. Blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds to make peeling easier.
• Wine Lovers: Add a splash of red wine to the pan after sautéing the onions and garlic for an added depth of flavor.
• Herb Variations: Experiment with other herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves for a unique twist.
• Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or even some diced jalapeños for a spicier version.
• Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a little more sugar or even a small grated carrot.

Final Thoughts:

Making your own homemade tomato sauce is simple, delicious, and a great way to elevate any meal. Whether you’re serving it over pasta, using it as a pizza sauce, or pairing it with your favorite comfort food, this sauce is a must-have in your cooking repertoire.

Give this recipe a try, and you’ll never go back to store-bought sauces again!