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Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce
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Discover how to make fresh, vibrant homemade tomato sauce with these easy-to-follow recipes. Perfect for pasta, pizza, and more, this quick and versatile sauce uses fresh ingredients and can be customized with herbs, spices, and creamy or spicy variations. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a cost-effective, flavorful addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Fresh Tomatoes and Base Ingredients

  • Fresh Roma or plum tomatoes – quantity as needed (about 2 pounds for 4 servings)
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • Onion, finely chopped – 1 medium
  • Garlic cloves, minced – 3 cloves
  • Salt – 1 teaspoon or to taste
  • Black pepper – ½ teaspoon or to taste

Fresh Herbs

  • Fresh basil leaves – 5-6 leaves, chopped
  • Fresh oregano – 1 teaspoon, chopped
  • Fresh thyme – ½ teaspoon, optional

Optional Variations

  • Red pepper flakes or fresh chili – ¼ teaspoon for spicy kick
  • Vegetables like roasted bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms – ½ cup, finely chopped (optional)
  • Coconut or cashew cream – ¼ cup for creamy vegan twist
  • Rosemary or sage – 1 teaspoon, for herbal infusion
  • Pinch of sugar – to balance acidity (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tomatoes: Score a small “X” at the bottom of each tomato. Immerse them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to ice water to loosen the skins for easy peeling.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant without browning.
  3. Cook Tomatoes: Roughly chop the peeled tomatoes and add them to the pan. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
  4. Season and Add Herbs: Stir in salt, pepper, and your choice of fresh herbs such as basil or oregano. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 more minutes to blend the flavors well.
  5. Blend or Leave Chunky: For a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pan or transfer to a blender and puree. For a chunkier texture, leave as is and adjust seasoning to taste.

Notes

  • Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor base.
  • Simmer sauce gently on low heat to avoid bitterness.
  • Fresh herbs brighten and enhance the sauce’s taste.
  • Add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to thin sauce and help it cling to noodles.
  • Leftover sauce can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.
  • Reheat gently, adding water or broth if sauce thickens too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato sauce, homemade tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce, fresh tomato sauce, Italian sauce, tomato sauce recipe, quick tomato sauce, vegan tomato sauce

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