Simple but Scrumptious Tomato Sauce
Transform your meals with this Simple but Scrumptious Tomato Sauce, a versatile and flavor-packed recipe that's destined to become a kitchen staple. Made with pantry-friendly ingredients like canned crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and dried herbs, this sauce strikes the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and subtly spicy (thanks to optional red pepper flakes). In just 35 minutes, including prep, you'll create a rich and hearty sauce that's perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for your favorite Italian-inspired dishes. Whether you prefer a chunky rustic texture or a smooth finish, this easy tomato sauce recipe can be tailored to suit your taste. Complete with a hint of sugar to enhance the tomatoes' natural sweetness and a garnish of fresh basil for a burst of freshness, this sauce is as simple as it is scrumptious. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, it’s an essential go-to for homemade comfort food lovers.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 5 leaves fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine.
Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low.
Cover the saucepan partially with a lid and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
If a smoother texture is desired, use an immersion blender to purée the sauce to your liking, or leave it chunky for a rustic texture.
Serve your Simple but Scrumptious Tomato Sauce over cooked pasta, use as a pizza sauce, or as a base for your favorite dishes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
87 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.8 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 329 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11.2 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.5 g | ||
| Protein | 2.1 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 35 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 327 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
