This homemade tomato sauce is bursting with flavors and is the perfect accompaniment to pasta, meatballs, pizza, and more. Made with fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of sweetness, this sauce will elevate your dishes to a whole new level. Prepare to be the talk of the town with this flavorful and versatile tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 8-10 ripe tomatoes
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Score a small 'X' on the bottom of each tomato, then carefully drop them into the boiling water. Leave them for about 1-2 minutes or until the skin starts to peel away. Remove the tomatoes from the water and place them in a bowl of ice water to cool. Once cooled, peel off the skin and dice the tomatoes.
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and cook until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the saucepan with the garlic and onion. Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes should break down and thicken the sauce.
- Add the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until desired consistency.
- Serve the homemade tomato sauce warm over your favorite pasta, use it as a pizza sauce, or as a flavorful base for meatballs or other dishes. Enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Tomato sauce is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to various health benefits.
Cooking tomato sauce for a longer period of time helps enhance its flavors and deepens the color.
You can easily customize this sauce by adding other ingredients like chopped vegetables, mushrooms, or even cooked ground meat.