Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Homemade Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is an essential part of any kitchen. This easy homemade tomato sauce recipe uses fresh basil and red pepper flakes.
You can use crushed or diced tomatoes but a food processor is key for making them smoother.
Ingredients
Tomato sauce is an essential kitchen staple, so it’s important to learn how to make a basic tomato sauce that you can use for pasta, sloppy joes, or other recipes that require tomato sauce. This recipe uses just a few ingredients and is simple enough to make on the stovetop or in your slow cooker. It also freezes well so you can keep a stash in the freezer for later.
For this homemade tomato sauce recipe, you’ll need some fresh basil (although you could substitute oregano or a sprig of rosemary), garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. You can also add in some tomato paste to intensify the tomato flavor. Using whole tomatoes rather than a jar of crushed tomatoes allows the flavors to develop while simmering, giving you richer sauce that tastes so much better than store-bought!
The recipe is vegan and gluten-free, but you can always add in a little bit of milk or cream if you want to give the sauce more of a creamy texture. You could even stir in some salty parmesan cheese for an extra savory kick.
This tomato sauce is easy to prepare, but the cooking process can take an hour or so. Be sure to check on it often and adjust the heat as needed. If you are in a rush, the sauce can be sped up by adding more water and boiling it down quickly to the desired consistency.
Preparation
Unlike store-bought tomato sauces that are typically high in sodium, this recipe has the added benefit of vegetables. In particular, finely chopped carrots are a great addition as they add natural sweetness and help thicken the sauce. They also lower the acidity which is sometimes an issue with canned tomatoes. Another way to lower the acidity is to use whole plum tomatoes as opposed to diced.
While I prefer to use fresh tomatoes, if they aren’t in season or you find that the grocery store options are flavorless this recipe is just as delicious using canned. When using tomatoes that aren’t fresh, I recommend removing the stems and boiling them to loosen the skins before peeling them (or skip this step).
In order to reduce the cooking time it is important to use a large pot. This allows the ingredients to cook down and thicken while the heat is on low. It is also helpful to preheat the pot before adding the ingredients.
The cooking time can be as short as 2 hours, or it can simmer for up to 4-6 hours. This allows the tomato to break down and create a rich tomato sauce.
When finished, stir in your favorite herbs (lemon basil is a great choice!) and serve.
Cooking
This recipe is super simple but has great flavor! Using whole tomatoes and adding carrots adds sweetness and lowers acidity. Slow cooking allows the flavors to really deepen and develop. This sauce is perfect for all tomato-based recipes including pasta, sloppy joe sauce and even soup. It can also be frozen or canned for future use.
For best results, this recipe should be cooked low and slow for up to 2 hours or more to allow the tomato flavor to richen, the acidity to balance and the herbs to infuse. If you like to have a smoother sauce, simply puree the tomatoes in a food processor or with an immersion blender. If the sauce starts to become too thick, simply add a little water.
If the tomato sauce is too sour or acidic, you can add an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda at a time (tasting in between) until it dissolves and the tanginess dissipates. Alternatively, you can add a few tablespoons of sugar which will also cut the acidity.
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or can be frozen. If freezing, let the sauce cool completely before ladling into a freezer safe zipper or snap lock bag. Be sure to label and date. This tomato sauce can also be water bath canned following proper sterilization and canning procedures.
Serving
Tomato sauce is one of those things that you can make with a few basic ingredients and it’s so much better than the stuff you can buy. It’s also super versatile, as you can add different things to it for extra flavor and texture. For example, you could add some roasted red peppers for a nice tang or some fresh basil for a more herbal flavor. You can even add a little bit of tomato paste to boost the flavor. And for a rich creamy sauce you can always add some regular or light coconut milk.
Another great thing about this homemade tomato sauce recipe is that it’s very easy to make in a small batch, which means you can have some on hand for pasta or chicken or fish and even freeze some for later. Plus, it’s cheaper than buying a jar of store-bought sauce.
Canned tomatoes work in this sauce but I prefer to use San Marzano tomatoes, which are more flavorful than other brands and have low acidity. If you’re going with a less expensive brand, just be sure to taste them before adding them to the recipe to see if they are too acidic. If they are, you can add a small amount of sugar to tame the acidity. I’ve also added finely grated carrots to the recipe, which not only reduces the acidity but thickens the sauce as well.
