Easy homemade tomato sauce recipe made entirely with pantry staples and so much better than store-bought. Use this zesty sauce as a pizza sauce or pasta sauce. You can even freeze and thaw as needed!
Classic tomato sauce is America's favorite kitchen staple for getting a quick dinner on the table. We know how easy it is to buy packaged sauce and I always have some on hand for hangry emergencies. But, have you ever made your own? It's so easy and puts you in control of ingredients like salt and sugar, just like my Hidden Veggie Marinara Sauce.
Tomato sauce recipe ingredients
- olive oil
- fresh garlic
- onion
- canned crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
- tomato paste
- oregano
- crushed red chili pepper (optional)
- salt and pepper
- ground fennel
- bay leaf
How to make tomato sauce on the stove
Step 1: saute garlic and onion in a saucepot on medium-high heat.
Step 2: add tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings.
Step 3: adjust heat to high long enough to bring to boil
Step 4: reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring as needed.
How to make tomato sauce in the crockpot
Step 1: saute garlic and onion in a saucepot on medium high heat
Step 2: transfer to a crockpot.
Step 3: add remaining ingredients.
Step 4: set crockpot on high for 2 hours or low for 4-6 hours, stirring as needed
Why we love homemade tomato sauce
- No added sugar and no salt overkill. YOU control the ingredients.
- It's vegan AND gluten-free.
- Tastes better than anything you've had in a jar...promise!
- Meal prep and freeze it for tons of convenience.
- Save money! This recipe costs .09¢/oz, while retail tomato sauce averages .29¢/oz. WOW!
- The crockpot version cooks itself and doesn't heat up the whole kitchen (great during summer!)
- Use homemade sauce for pasta, homemade pizza sauce, lasagna, meatballs, and Shakshuka. It's so versatile!
Speaking of meatball sliders, we first tested this very recipe on 25 people after a local, holiday parade.
We put 75 cooked, meatballs and 4 quarts of my cooked marinara sauce in a big Crockpot, turned it on LOW for several hours, went to the parade, and returned to a self-serve, meatball-slider extravaganza.
Everyone loved the sauce and it couldn’t have been any easier.
Recommended tools
- chef knife and cutting board (for garlic and onions)
- 3-quart soup pot or 10" skillet
- slow cooker / crockpot
Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- ½ medium Onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 (15 ounce cans) Crushed Tomatoes, or 1 ½ lbs fresh tomatoes
- ½ (6 ounce can) Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano, or 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper, optional
- 1 Bay Leaf
Instructions
Tomato Sauce (stove instructions)
- In a 3-quart sauce pot, heat OLIVE OIL on medium heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes).
- Add ONION and GARLIC; sauté until slightly tender; stir as needed (3-5 min).
- Add TOMATOES, TOMATO PASTE, OREGANO, CHILI PEPPER, SALT, and PEPPER; stir in sautéed onions and garlic.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about an hour, stirring as needed.
Tomato Sauce (crockpot instructions)
- In a 10" skillet, heat OLIVE OIL on medium heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes).
- Add ONION and GARLIC; sauté until slightly tender; stir as needed (3-5 min).
- Meanwhile, to a 3+ quart slow-cooker, add TOMATOES, TOMATO PASTE, OREGANO, CHILI PEPPER, SALT, and PEPPER; stir in sautéed onions and garlic.
- Cover and turn heat to HIGH (2 hours) or LOW (4-6 hours).
Serving and Storage instructions
- Sauce will be thick and chunky, feel free to puree using a stick blender if needed.
- If freezing, allow to cool completely, package into freezer bags or containers, and freeze.
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
M-J says
About to try your recipe. We are aiming for that authentic Italian taste and I found fennel in your recipe ergo that wud be the ital taste we are so craving lol will let u know
The Kitchen Girl says
Alrighty! Hope you love it like we do
Amy says
Excellent! This sounds like the perfect recipe and everyone seems to love it!! I have so many fresh tomatoes from the garden. How bout doubling up on the recipe?;) Love to try the crock pot version.
The Kitchen Girl says
Glad you think so, Amy! Sure, you could double it up if your slow cooker will accommodate about 16 cups of sauce (this recipe yields 8) Hope you love it!
Anne says
Traci,
Another wonderful, fresh tasting, easy to put together recipe! Thank you for sharing. I have made this recipe in a crock pot and on the stove, both are excellent...
Traci Antonovich says
Anne...so glad you enjoyed this one 🙂 It's a hidden gem, really! Thanks so much for swinging by with your feedback...much appreciated.
Dannii says
You just can’t beat a homemade pasta sauce. It's so easy and cheap to make.
Traci Antonovich says
I totally agree, Dannii! Enjoy!
liz says
Nothing I love more than a homemade tomato sauce! I love that you can make it so quickly if your in a time crunch or you can let it simmer for hours!
Traci Antonovich says
Exaactly, Liz...that's the beauty of this tomato sauce for sure. Thanks! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
I love making my own tomato sauce! Can't wait to try your recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Taylor! I know you'll enjoy it then 🙂
Sues says
There's nothing quite like homemade tomato sauce and this looks like a recipe I could enjoy all year round! Love the bright vibrant color of the sauce 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Sues. Yes, it is an easy, all-season recipe. Enjoy!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
This is the perfect time of year for making homemade tomato sauce. The markets are overflowing with fresh tomatoes. So much better than store bought.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Gloria. I couldn't agree more. Glad you enjoy!
Sallie Graham Needham says
This is still too high content sodium for hubby. Thought I'd try same thing with fresh toms but don't know how much it would take of fresh tomato. Love your site!
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Sallie, thanks for the compliment 🙂 The recipe ingredient list includes fresh tomato substitution amount next to the canned tomatoes. In this case, 4 large tomatoes. As for nutrition values, I do encourage readers to seek the most accurate numbers from a nutrition specialist as mine are compiled from a standard database. Hope this helps 😉
Bre says
Sounds delicious! Could mushrooms be added to this?
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Bre, I think that would be delicious! I would chop them to your preferred size (remember, they'll shrink when cooked) and add them to the skillet with the onions and garlic during the saute cycle. Also be sure to check out this other marinara sauce recipe for the stove top - https://thekitchengirl.com/drunken-marinara-sauce/
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
This is the kind of stuff I love to have on hand for busy days! I could seriously think of so many uses for this from pasta to over meatball sandwiches to pizza. I would definitely put the chili in there cause I loves me some spice 😉
Traci Antonovich says
Haha I'm right there with you on the spice, Dawn 🙂 Yay, hope you get a chance to make this one!
georgie says
LOVE this!!! i've been looking for a marinara pasta sauce recipe for ages! i love that it's freezable too! so handy!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Georgie!...Love hearing that 🙂
Jenni LeBaron says
I love that first batch of tomatoes in the summer because I can make marinara. What a great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jenni...can't wait for those summer tomatoes! 🙂
Ann says
What an amazing idea to make up a batch of all-purpose marinara to keep in the freezer! This would save me so many nights of trying to come up with a last minute meal! The recipe sounds delicious 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Ann...yep, exactly why I love making this one! It makes weekday meals so easy 🙂
Anna says
Such a great and versatile recipe! And we always freeze the homemade sauces, such a time saver in a long run! thanks so much for sharing!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Anna...so glad to hear we're on the same page 🙂 Homemade is the best!
Veena Azmanov says
I love making my marina sauce in the slow cooker and storing it in the freezer. Best thing for working moms I think. Love the color on this.
Traci Antonovich says
Yay thanks Veena...you're already on that page. Awesome! It's the best way to make marinara, imo 🙂 Happy 2018 to you and yours!
Kristine says
I love, love, love freezer recipes! This marinara looks absolutely mouthwatering!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Kristine! I love, love, love hearing this 🙂
Patty @ Spoonabilities says
I love making my own sauces and it is so great to make them ahead like this to use on busy days! Love this!
Traci Antonovich says
I'm so with you Patty...and I'm all about the hands-free! Thanks for weighing in 🙂
Luci's Morsels says
This looks delicious and WAY better than canned sauce!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Luci! I can hardly eat the canned anymore unless it's really really good 🙂
Lisa Huff says
Perfect time of year to make homemade marinara! This looks perfect! Haven't tried making it in a slow cooker.Great idea!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Lisa! Yep, I'm obsessed with hands-free...so necessity >> invention LOL 🙂