Here is a recipe for a basic tomato sauce that starts with a soffritto of onions, carrots, and celery cooked in a little olive oil, to which garlic, tomatoes, and seasonings are added. Simple and delicious! The sauce can be dressed up with mushrooms, sausage, olives, wine, and all manner of vegetables. What’s your favorite tomato sauce recipe?
Canned or Fresh Tomatoes in Tomato Sauce
When tomatoes are in season, fresh tomatoes are great in this sauce. But, when tomatoes aren’t in season and your only option is grocery store tomatoes that can be flavorless, canned tomatoes are a better choice for homemade tomato sauce. Note that if you do use fresh tomatoes, the simmering time may take longer.
How Long Does Homemade Tomato Sauce Keep?
Refrigerate in a tightly covered container for up to 1 week. Tomato sauce can stain plastic containers so use glass or plastic containers that you don’t mind getting stained.
How to Freeze Homemade Tomato Sauce
Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe zipper bag or container, making sure to leave room for expansion as it freezes. Tomato sauce can stain plastic containers so if you choose to freeze in a plastic container, make sure it’s one you don’t mind getting stained. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, or thaw on the stovetop on medium low heat, stirring occasionally.
Tomato Sauce for Canning
There is not enough acid in this tomato sauce recipe to water bath can, but you can preserve it in a pressure canner. Check out this Basil-Garlic Tomato Sauce recipe if you want to water bath can.
What to Serve With Tomato Sauce
Where do we start? Use tomato sauce as a dipping sauce for cheesy bread, garlic bread, or mozzarella sticks. Top pasta or vegetables with it. Use it to simmer eggs in tomato sauce until they’re cooked to your liking, or to simmer cooked white beans. Tomato sauce can also be the red sauce for steaming mussels.
Recipes to Showcase Tomato Sauce from Scratch
Lasagna Vegetarian Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Eggplant Parmesan Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce
Add the tomato paste and the basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a low simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered until thickened, about 15 minutes. Optional, purée for smooth sauce: If you want you can push the sauce through a food mill, or purée it in a blender or with an immersion blender, to give it a smooth consistency.
