Traditional Italian Tomato Sauce
Experience the heart of homemade Italian cooking with this Traditional Italian Tomato Sauce recipe, a timeless classic brimming with rustic flavors. Crafted with fragrant sautéed garlic and onions, rich tomato paste, and slow-simmered whole peeled tomatoes, this sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Fresh basil leaves and a hint of oregano bring an authentic herbaceous aroma, while a touch of sugar enhances the natural tomato sweetness. Ready in just under an hour, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights or leisurely Sunday dinners. Serve it over al dente pasta, as a pizza sauce, or as the base for your favorite Italian dishes. This versatile, homemade tomato sauce is a pantry staple you’ll turn to time and time again. Perfect for meal prepping, it stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer for future use!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves
- 28 ounces Canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup Water
Instructions
Peel and finely chop the yellow onion. Mince the garlic cloves.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until translucent and softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to let it burn.
Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, to enhance its flavor.
Pour the canned whole peeled tomatoes into the pan, breaking them up with a wooden spoon or with your hands as you add them.
Add the dried oregano, fresh basil leaves, sugar, salt, black pepper, and water to the pan. Stir everything to combine.
Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and allow it to simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove the basil leaves before serving or blending, if desired. For a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce directly in the pot or transfer it to a blender.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Serve warm over pasta, or use as a base for your favorite Italian recipes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
687 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.0 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.6 g | 33% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2202 mg | 96% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 72.1 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.5 g | 62% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.0 g | ||
| Protein | 10.3 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 214 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 1895 mg | 40% | |
*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.
