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Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce
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This easy homemade tomato sauce recipe is rich, flavorful, and made from fresh, simple ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a versatile sauce perfect for pasta, pizza, soups, stews, and more. With the perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and herbs, it brings classic comforting flavors to any dish, while being freezer-friendly and adaptable to various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh basil leaves, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for thicker sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Rinse and chop fresh tomatoes if using whole ones. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic to prepare them for cooking.
  2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent and soft. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, but do not brown to avoid bitterness.
  3. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in chopped tomatoes and tomato paste if using. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
  4. Season and Blend: Add salt, pepper, and chosen herbs. For a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender or transfer carefully to a blender. Adjust seasoning as needed and heat for a few more minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Final Touches: If the sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar. Let the sauce cool slightly before serving or storing. Add fresh basil at the end to brighten the flavor.

Notes

  • Use the ripest tomatoes available for the best sauce flavor.
  • Simmer on low heat to develop natural sweetness and deepen the flavor.
  • Do not rush sautéing the onion and garlic; properly softened aromatics build a flavorful base.
  • To thicken sauce, simmer uncovered; add water or broth for a thinner consistency.
  • Add delicate herbs like basil at the end; sturdier herbs can be added earlier.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato sauce, homemade tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce, vegan tomato sauce, gluten free sauce, pasta sauce, Italian sauce

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/tomato-sauce/