Are you tired of bland, store-bought tomato sauces that lack that authentic, homemade taste? Get ready to transform your pasta nights with this incredibly simple yet mouthwatering Basic Scratch Tomato Sauce! In just 40 minutes, you'll create a rich, flavorful sauce that will have your family and friends thinking you've secretly trained in an Italian kitchen. This foolproof recipe is about to become your new go-to sauce for everything from classic spaghetti to gourmet pizza bases.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 cups
Ingredients
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic cloves. Measure out all dry herbs and seasonings.
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the sautéed onions and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The garlic should become fragrant but not brown.
- Pour in the two cans of crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine with the onion and garlic mixture. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Add salt, sugar, dried basil, and oregano to the sauce. Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and develop deeper flavors during this time.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. If the sauce seems too acidic, you can add a bit more sugar to balance the flavor.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before using or storing. The sauce can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor - San Marzano tomatoes are ideal if you can find them.
- Don't rush the onion and garlic sautéing process; taking time to develop those base flavors is crucial.
- Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- For a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree after cooking.
- The sauce actually tastes better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance.
- If the sauce is too acidic, a pinch of baking soda can help neutralize the tomato's sharpness.
- Experiment with adding fresh herbs like fresh basil or oregano at the end of cooking for an extra flavor boost.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 50kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
