Best Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
This Best Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe is a simple, flavorful classic made from crushed tomatoes, garlic, fresh or dried basil, and a touch of parmesan cheese. Slow-simmered on the stovetop, this sauce develops rich, deep flavors perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for other dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: About 6 cups (serves 6-8) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
- 3 to 4 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each) OR 12 to 15 fresh tomatoes, peeled and crushed
- 1½ teaspoons black pepper
- 4 to 6 tablespoons fresh basil OR 1 to 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan or Romano cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a 5-quart or larger pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
- Sauté the garlic: Add 4 cloves of chopped or minced garlic and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes (or fresh peeled and crushed tomatoes), then add 1½ teaspoons black pepper, 4 to 6 tablespoons fresh basil (or 1 to 2 tablespoons dried), and 1 tablespoon of sugar if using. Stir well to combine.
- Bring to a boil: Stir the mixture often and bring it to a gentle low boil on medium heat.
- Simmer uncovered: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for the first 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring often to prevent sticking.
- Simmer covered: Cover the pot and continue simmering for another 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring frequently to develop flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Add cheese and finish simmering: Stir in ⅓ cup grated parmesan or Romano cheese, then simmer the sauce for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors before serving.
Notes
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender before adding the cheese to your desired consistency.
- Adjust sugar quantity based on the acidity of your tomatoes to balance the flavor.
- Fresh basil provides a brighter flavor, but dried basil is a convenient alternative.
- This sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes or ripe fresh tomatoes for best taste.
Keywords: homemade tomato sauce, tomato sauce recipe, Italian tomato sauce, slow-simmered sauce, basil tomato sauce, easy tomato sauce
Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/best-homemade-tomato-sauce-recipe/
