Description
This hearty Italian sauce recipe is made with canned tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and fresh basil. It’s rich, meatless, and perfect for pasta, dipping, or as a base for your favorite Italian dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, sugar, and fresh basil.
- Bring to a low simmer and cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the diced tomatoes as it cooks.
- Serve warm over pasta or use as desired in your favorite Italian recipes.
Notes
- Adjust sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes based on your taste preference.
- This sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender after cooking.
- Use San Marzano tomatoes for a richer flavor, if available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
