Welcome to the Easiest Tomato Sauce Recipe Ever!
Have you ever wanted to make your own pasta sauce? Many people think it’s hard. They buy sauce in a jar from the store. But what if I told you that making your own is super easy? It is! And it tastes so much better. This simple tomato sauce recipe will show you how. You don’t need to be a chef. You just need a few simple things and a little bit of time.
Making sauce at home means you know exactly what’s in it. No strange words you can’t say. Just good, fresh food. This sauce is perfect for spaghetti, pizza, or dipping bread. Get ready to make your kitchen smell amazing. Let’s learn how to make the best tomato sauce Recipe you’ve ever had.
Why You Should Try This Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Store-bought sauce is quick, but homemade is special. Why? First, the taste is amazing. You can make it taste just how you like it. Do you like a little spice? Add some chili flakes. Do you love garlic? Add an extra piece! You are in control of the flavor.
Second, it’s healthier. Jars of sauce can have a lot of sugar and salt. When you make it yourself, you decide how much to put in. You can use fresh vegetables and good olive oil. It’s a great way to eat better without trying too hard.
Last, it’s fun! Cooking can be a great way to relax. The smell of onion and garlic cooking is one of the best smells in the world. Making this simple tomato sauce recipe can make you feel proud. You made something delicious from scratch!
Ingredients for Our Simple Tomato Sauce Recipe
You don’t need a long list of fancy things for this recipe. We keep it simple so anyone can make it. Here is what you will need to gather from your kitchen.
- Canned Tomatoes: One large can (about 28 ounces) of crushed or whole peeled tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are great because they are picked when they are perfectly ripe.
- Olive Oil: About two tablespoons of good olive oil. This is for cooking the vegetables.
- Onion: One small yellow onion, chopped into small pieces.
- Garlic: Two or three cloves of garlic, chopped very small.
- Herbs: One teaspoon of dried oregano or basil. You can also use fresh herbs if you have them!
- Salt and Pepper: To make the flavors pop. You can add as much as you like.
- A tiny bit of Sugar (Optional): Just half a teaspoon. This is a secret trick. It doesn’t make the sauce sweet. It just makes the tomatoes taste less sour.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Tomato Sauce Recipe
Ready to start cooking? Just follow these easy steps. It’s hard to mess this up, so don’t worry. Have fun with it!
Step 1: Cook the Onion and Garlic
First, get a medium-sized pot or pan. Pour your olive oil into the pot and put it on the stove over medium heat. Let the oil get warm for a minute. Then, add your chopped onion. Cook the onion until it becomes soft and clear. This usually takes about 5 minutes. After the onion is soft, add your chopped garlic. Cook for just one more minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn! You will know it’s ready when you can smell it. It smells so good!
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Herbs
Now it’s time for the main event. Pour the whole can of tomatoes into the pot with the onion and garlic. If you are using whole tomatoes, use your spoon to break them up into smaller pieces. Stir everything together. Now, add your dried herbs, salt, pepper, and the optional little bit of sugar. Give it all another good stir.
Step 3: Let It Simmer
This is the most important step for great flavor. Turn the heat down to low. You want the sauce to bubble just a tiny bit. This is called simmering. Put a lid on the pot, but leave a small crack for steam to get out. Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, let it simmer for an hour. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste. The flavors all mix together and the sauce gets a little thicker.
Helpful Tips for the Best Sauce
Want to make your sauce even more special? Here are a few ideas. You can try these once you feel comfortable with the basic tomato sauce recipe. These little changes can add a lot of new flavor.
| Flavor Booster | When to Add It | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| A splash of red wine | After cooking the onion and garlic, before the tomatoes. | Gives the sauce a deep, rich flavor. |
| A handful of fresh basil | Stir it in at the very end, after you turn off the heat. | Adds a fresh, sweet, and herby taste. |
| A pinch of red pepper flakes | Add with the garlic. | Makes the sauce a little spicy. |
| A small carrot, grated | Add with the onion. | Adds natural sweetness instead of sugar. |
Tomato Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups + spoons
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 800 g 28 oz crushed tomatoes (or fresh blended tomatoes)
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar optional, to balance acidity
- 1 tsp dried basil or oregano or fresh if available
- Optional: chili flakes for heat
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Onion and Garlic
- First, get a medium-sized pot or pan. Pour your olive oil into the pot and put it on the stove over medium heat. Let the oil get warm for a minute. Then, add your chopped onion. Cook the onion until it becomes soft and clear. This usually takes about 5 minutes. After the onion is soft, add your chopped garlic. Cook for just one more minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn! You will know it’s ready when you can smell it. It smells so good!
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Herbs
- Now it’s time for the main event. Pour the whole can of tomatoes into the pot with the onion and garlic. If you are using whole tomatoes, use your spoon to break them up into smaller pieces. Stir everything together. Now, add your dried herbs, salt, pepper, and the optional little bit of sugar. Give it all another good stir.
Step 3: Let It Simmer
- This is the most important step for great flavor. Turn the heat down to low. You want the sauce to bubble just a tiny bit. This is called simmering. Put a lid on the pot, but leave a small crack for steam to get out. Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, let it simmer for an hour. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste. The flavors all mix together and the sauce gets a little thicker.
Pros and Cons of Making Homemade Sauce
Like anything, making your own sauce has good parts and not-so-good parts. Let’s look at them.
The Good Stuff (Pros)
- Amazing Flavor: It will taste much fresher and richer than anything from a jar.
- Healthier: You control the salt, sugar, and fat. No weird chemicals!
- You Can Change It: Make it spicy, herby, or chunky. It’s your sauce.
- It’s Cheaper: Making a big pot of sauce is often cheaper than buying several jars.
The Not-So-Good Stuff (Cons)
- It Takes Time: You need at least 45 minutes from start to finish. Store-bought is faster.
- It Makes a Mess: Cooking can mean more dishes to wash.
- You Need Ingredients: You need to have the basic ingredients on hand.
Read more:- Easy Gazpacho Soup Recipe
Common Questions and Problems
Sometimes things don’t go perfectly. That’s okay! Here are some common problems and how to fix them. This simple tomato sauce recipe is forgiving, so don’t worry.
| Problem | Easy Fix |
|---|---|
| My sauce is too watery. | Let it simmer longer with the lid off. The extra water will cook away. |
| My sauce tastes too sour or acidic. | Add a tiny pinch of sugar or a small, grated carrot. A little bit of baking soda can also help. |
| My sauce is too thick. | Stir in a little bit of water or chicken broth until it’s the way you like it. |
| How long can I keep the sauce? | You can keep it in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days. It can be frozen for about 3 months! |
You Are Ready to Make Great Tomato Sauce Recipe
See? That wasn’t so hard. You now have a wonderful, simple tomato sauce recipe that you can use for so many meals. You can be proud that you made something so tasty all by yourself. The best part about cooking is sharing it with people you love. So, cook up some pasta, pour your amazing homemade sauce over it, and enjoy a wonderful meal.
Don’t be afraid to try new things with this recipe. Add some vegetables, try different herbs, or make a big batch to freeze for later. This is your foundation. Now you can build on it and become a sauce-making expert. Happy cooking!