Simple Tomato Sauce

What a great way to start your Sunday morning…  a pot of sauce simmering on the stove

Mmmm… the wonderful smell of garlic, onions and tomatoes all melding together in Italian symmetry

 Sometimes I’ll start a pot of sauce without a definite plan of what the application will be, but somehow tonight’s dinner will include tomato sauce in some way, shape or form

 This is a thinner version of our sauce which is delicious to serve over pasta or to gently simmer meatballs

 Let’s cook!

 Finely chop one large onion

Sweat the onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent about 6-7 minutes

Stir frequently and lower the heat if they begin to brown at all

If you overcook the onions, they give sauce a bitter taste

Add 3 cans of good quality tomatoes.  I choose either crushed or whole plum and “squish” them by hand (technical cooking term)

I never use the pre-seasoned canned tomatoes because I like to add in my own flavor

DSC01586

Add in kosher salt, black pepper and pepper flakes plus bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, dry basil, dry oregano and a pinch of sugar

I’m a big fan of fresh herbs, but use the dry herbs as well for a different level of flavor

Mince 4 cloves of garlic and add to the pot
(Did I mention we like to use a LOT of garlic??)

I know many recipes saute the garlic with the onions, but we’ve found that you keep that garlicky freshness if you let it cook right in with the sauce

DSC01580DSC01590

Stir to combine all of the ingredients, cover and let the melding begin!

Simmer on medium-low for about 60 minutes, stirring occasionally

In our house, it’s everyone’s job to keep an eye on the sauce.  If you pass by, give it a stir and be rewarded by a steaming tomato facial

Measure out 1 cup of dry red wine, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and a tablespoon of tomato paste

 The grated Parmesan adds a little more depth to the flavor and a hint of saltiness

DSC01599

Add in the wine, cheese and tomato paste to the pot, give a stir, cover and let cook for another 30 minutes or until the desired thickness

I like to store the leftover tomato paste in a baggie in the freezer.  When I need to add some to a recipe, I can just cut off a piece and it defrosts as it cooks

DSC01613

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as necessary

DSC01618

DSC01638

Enjoy!

 

Simply Sundays! ~ Simple Tomato Sauce

  • Servings: 10 cups
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients

1 large onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 (28 oz.) cans crushed or whole peeled tomatoes

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

4 bay leaves

1 teaspoons each of:

garlic powder

onion powder

dry basil

dry oregano

sugar

 I cup dry red wine

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Directions

Finely chop one large onion and sweat the onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent about 6-7 minutes; stir the onions frequently and lower the heat if they begin to brown at all

 Mince 4 cloves of garlic and set aside

Add 3 cans of good quality crushed tomatoes or whole plum, crushed

Add in the salt, pepper, pepper flakes, bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, dry basil, dry oregano and a pinch of sugar & the chopped garlic.

Stir to mix well, simmer on low for about 60 minutes, stirring occasionally

Stir in red wine, parmesan cheese and tomato paste

Simmer for at least 30 minutes more, stirring occasionally

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as necessary

Tools used to make this recipe

Royal Classique Measuring Cups

Simply Bamboo Cutting Board

Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set

ZELITE INFINITY Santoku Knife

Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel 8-Quart Covered Saucepot

© Simply Sundays 2016
All rights reserved

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Published by

6 thoughts on “Simple Tomato Sauce

  1. Your sauce and technique is great, I do mine exactly like that. I like to use fresh tomatoes or salt free diced in the can. Always hand crush. One thing that I do that people seem Love is Take a can of salt free corn, and I drain the water then I put it into a separate pan char the corn. I don’t use the burner I use a kitchen torch. Then just mix it into your sauce. It adds a tremendous amount of flavor to the sauce and some texture as well. I call it “Texican pasta sauce. Keep posting. Les

  2. Making this today and it smells so great! I ran out of oregano so instead of basil and oregano I used Italian Seasoning. Doubled it to freeze some. Using the sauce with stuffed shells and sausage.

      1. Making this yet again! I make it once a month usually. I am going to try the tomato paste trick. Fingers crossed!

We love reader comments! Tell us what you think!