If you have ever dreamed of capturing the vibrant flavors of summer in a jar, this Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe is your golden ticket. With ripe, juicy tomatoes transformed into a rich, aromatic sauce bursting with garlic and basil, this recipe is a delightful way to elevate any meal. It’s the kind of sauce that brings warmth to your kitchen and a nostalgic touch to your taste buds, proving just how simple ingredients can come together to create pure magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe lies in its straightforward list of ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role, contributing to the sauce’s depth, richness, and balanced flavor, making it accessible for any home cook to master.
- 3 lbs vine ripe or plum tomatoes: Choose fresh, firm tomatoes for the best natural sweetness and acidity.
- ¼ cup olive oil: This adds a smooth richness and helps meld the flavors together beautifully.
- 3 tablespoons garlic paste: Garlic infuses an irresistible aroma and hearty depth to the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste: A concentrated tomato flavor that intensifies the sauce’s robustness.
- 2 basil sprigs (stems and leaves separated): The stems provide herbal fragrance during cooking, while the leaves add fresh, vibrant taste at the end.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt: Essential for enhancing all the natural flavors.
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity.
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Brings a subtle kick without overpowering the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes with a hint of sweetness.
How to Make Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a vigorous boil. This sets the stage for easily peeling your tomatoes. Using a paring knife, carefully score 1-inch X’s on the bottom of each tomato. This little trick will loosen their skins, making peeling effortless and preserving the juicy flesh inside.
Step 2: Blanch and Peel
Drop the scored tomatoes into the boiling water and cook just until the skins begin to crack and split – about 2 to 3 minutes. Right after, strain them in a colander and transfer to a baking sheet to cool slightly. Once cooled, peel off the skins with your hands or a knife. This process ensures a silky smooth sauce without the bitterness that tomato skins can sometimes add.
Step 3: Chop and Discard Cores
After peeling, cut the tomatoes into chunks and discard the tough cores. This leaves you with the tender, flavorful parts perfect for simmering into sauce.
Step 4: Sauté the Flavor Base
In a large saucepan, combine the olive oil, garlic paste, tomato paste, and basil stems along with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook everything over low heat, stirring frequently, until the garlic browns slightly and releases its fragrant aroma, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step builds the delicious foundation for your sauce’s depth.
Step 5: Simmer the Sauce
Add the chopped tomatoes and any juices that have gathered on the baking sheet, plus the brown sugar, into your saucepan. Stir well, then crank up the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and watch as it naturally thickens into a luscious sauce.
Step 6: Final Touches
Once simmered, remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the basil stems. Stir in the finely chopped basil leaves to infuse the sauce with a fresh, green note. Taste test now and add more salt or pepper if needed. Your Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe is ready to elevate any meal!
How to Serve Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese adds a salty tang that complements the sauce perfectly. For a burst of color and freshness, scatter torn basil leaves or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right before serving.
Side Dishes
This sauce is incredibly versatile. It’s divine over al dente pasta, a base for pizza, or spooned generously atop roasted vegetables. Pairing it with crusty garlic bread or a vibrant green salad helps round out the meal with texture and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Use this sauce as a hearty topping for baked eggplants or zucchini boats, or swirl it into creamy risotto for an unexpected flavor twist. You can also layer it in lasagna or serve it with homemade meatballs for a heartfelt family dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The flavors only get better as they meld together overnight, perfect for busy weekday meals.
Freezing
If you want to keep the sauce longer, freezing is a fantastic option. Pour it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, leaving space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you need it, thaw in the fridge overnight or use directly in hot dishes.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or broth to bring it back to the perfect consistency. Avoid microwaving for best flavor and texture preservation.
FAQs
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh for this Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe?
Canned tomatoes can be used in a pinch, but fresh vine-ripened or plum tomatoes give a brighter, fresher flavor that truly elevates this recipe. If using canned, opt for high-quality whole peeled tomatoes.
How long does it take to make this sauce from start to finish?
Prep takes about 15 minutes, and simmering the sauce takes 30 minutes, so you’re looking at roughly 45 minutes total. This hands-on time is well worth the rich, homemade taste you get in return.
Is the brown sugar necessary in the Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe?
The brown sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a smooth, well-rounded flavor. If you prefer your sauce less sweet, you can reduce the amount or omit it, though it does add a subtle complexity.
Can I make this sauce spicy?
Absolutely! The crushed red pepper flakes add a nice touch of heat, but feel free to increase them or add a dash of cayenne pepper to suit your spice preference.
What’s the best way to peel tomatoes quickly?
Scoring each tomato with a shallow X and briefly boiling them makes peeling very easy. The skins loosen and slip right off after cooling for a few minutes in a colander or on a baking sheet.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the comfort and satisfaction of a Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe made with love and simple ingredients. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy dinner, this sauce is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen. So grab those perfect tomatoes and get ready to create something truly delicious!
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Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 to 4.4 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe offers a vibrant and flavorful homemade sauce made with vine ripe or plum tomatoes, garlic paste, tomato paste, and fresh basil. Perfect for enhancing pasta, pizza, or any dish that calls for a delicious tomato base, this sauce is simmered to a rich thickness and balanced with a touch of sugar and spices for a harmonious taste.
Ingredients
Tomatoes
- 3 lbs vine ripe or plum tomatoes (about 8)
Base and Seasonings
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 basil sprigs (stems and leaves separated)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (packed)
Instructions
- Prepare boiling water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat to blanch the tomatoes.
- Score tomatoes: Using a paring knife, cut 1-inch X’s on the bottoms of all the tomatoes to facilitate peeling after blanching.
- Blanch tomatoes: Add the scored tomatoes to the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the skins start to split.
- Peel tomatoes: Drain the tomatoes in a colander and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet. Peel off and discard the skins.
- Chop tomatoes: Cut the peeled tomatoes into chunks, and discard the cores.
- Cook aromatics: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add garlic paste, tomato paste, basil stems, sea salt, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook and stir frequently for 2 to 3 minutes until garlic becomes fragrant and slightly browned.
- Add tomatoes and sugar: Stir in the chopped tomatoes with their juices and the light brown sugar. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer sauce: Reduce heat to medium and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens.
- Finish with basil leaves: Remove the saucepan from heat, discard the basil stems, and stir in the finely chopped basil leaves.
- Season and store: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve the sauce immediately or let it cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes such as vine ripe or plum for the best sauce quality.
- Blanching tomatoes makes peeling easier and results in a smoother sauce.
- Simmering the sauce slowly allows flavors to deepen and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
- The brown sugar balances acidity in the tomatoes, but adjust or omit based on your taste and tomato sweetness.
- Fresh basil leaves added at the end preserve their bright flavor and aroma.
- This sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
