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This quick and easy tomato sauce recipe shows you how to make tomato sauce with any tomatoes and a few pantry ingredients. Use this zesty sauce for pasta, pizza, lasagna, you name it!
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Why this is the best tomato sauce recipe
This homemade tomato sauce is a dinner-saver for all things Italian! When you don't have jar pasta sauce on hand, or even if you do, this sauce makes you think about reaching for the packaged stuff. Here's why...
- Easy - Any cooking level will find this recipe easy.
- Convenient - Use any canned or fresh tomatoes for this recipe.
- Great flavor - It tastes as good as any packaged spaghetti sauce.
- Low sodium - Naturally low-sodium compared to packaged varieties.
- No sugar - There's no sugar added to this recipe.
- Easy storage - Freezing tomato sauce is easy and convenient.
- Low cost - Quality pasta sauce is expensive and making your own can save money.
- Diet-friendly - This homemade sauce is naturally vegan AND gluten-free.
- Versatile - It's ideal for Shakshuka, a quick tortilla pizza recipe, one-pot pressure cooker spaghetti, sloppy Joes, chicken Parmesan, pull-apart bread, lasagna, and meatballs.
Ingredients you'll need
- extra virgin olive oil - Adds rich flavor and texture to this sauce.
- fresh garlic - You can certainly use granulated garlic, but it won't have the deep, pungent flavor you get from raw garlic.
- onion - Any color onion will work.
- tomatoes - Canned tomatoes are convenient and packed with flavor, which makes them ideal for this quick recipe. This recipe also includes instructions for fresh tomatoes.
- tomato paste - Use canned tomato paste or tube tomato paste in equal amounts.
- oregano - This recipe includes amounts for fresh or dried oregano.
- crushed red chili pepper - This adds a spicy kick that makes this sauce even more irresistible.
- salt and pepper
- water - Adds volume and helps adjust the sauce consistency while it cooks.
How to make tomato sauce
Step 1: Heat oil over medium-high. Saute onions and garlic until tender.
Step 2: Add tomatoes, tomato paste, seasonings, and water. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Bring this mixture to a boil for a few minutes. Reduce heat to low, loosely cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, or until sauce thickens to your liking, stirring as needed.
Serving idea for a large group
This tomato sauce is perfect for meatball subs or sliders for a crowd of 25 people. I quadruple the sauce recipe to yield 16 cups, which is the perfect amount to serve with 75 cooked meatballs as sliders. So good and highly recommend!
Recipe tips
- tomato variety - Use any canned or fresh tomatoes, including crushed, diced, stewed, whole, or plum varieties like San Marzano. No need to peel fresh tomatoes, as the sauce will be blended.
- simmer for depth - This quick tomato sauce can be simmered beyond the suggested time frame to develop deeper color and richer flavor.
- adjusting flavor - Everyone's palate is different, so taste your sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings to your liking, especially salt.
- sauce thickness - To thicken tomato sauce, simply simmer it longer until the liquid reduces the sauce to your desired texture.
- acidity - If you need to cut the acidity in your sauce, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavor.
- freezing tomato sauce - It's super convenient to freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for future meals. Just thaw, heat, and serve!
Recipe variations
- add-ins - Add finely chopped vegetables, such as carrots and celery for added volume, flavor, and nutrition. Do this during the sauté step.
- herbs - Flavor your tomato sauce with other herbs and spices, such as basil, thyme, ground fennel, or an all-in-one Italian seasoning.
- texture - Use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree this naturally chunky tomato sauce into a smooth texture.
📖 Recipe
Easy Tomato Sauce Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ medium Onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce can) Crushed Tomatoes, or 1 ½ pounds fresh tomatoes, skin-on, cut in half
- ½ (6-ounce can) Tomato Paste, about 4 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano, or ¼ cup fresh oregano
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Red Chili Pepper Flakes, optional
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Heat OLIVE OIL in saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Add ONION and GARLIC. Sauté until tender, stirring as needed.
- Stir in TOMATOES, TOMATO PASTE, OREGANO, CHILI PEPPERS, SALT, PEPPER, and WATER.
- Bring this mixture to a boil for a few minutes. Reduce heat to low, loosely cover, and simmer for 25 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your liking, stirring as needed.Note: If using fresh tomatoes, you must blend the sauce to adjust its consistency. I recommend an immersion blender or any heat-safe blender.
- Serve warm.
- To store, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days, longer if vacuum sealed.
Equipment
- chef's knife and cutting board to cut onions and garlic
- immersion blender optional to puree sauce
Recipe Notes
- tomato variety - Use any canned or fresh tomatoes, including crushed, diced, stewed, whole, or plum varieties like San Marzano. No need to peel fresh tomatoes, as the sauce will be blended.
- simmer longer for depth - This quick tomato sauce can be simmered beyond the suggested time frame to develop deeper color and richer flavor.
- adjusting flavor - Everyone's palate is different, so taste your sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings to your liking, especially salt.
- sauce thickness - To thicken tomato sauce, simply simmer it longer until the liquid reduces the sauce to your desired texture. Use an immersion blender to create a smoother texture.
- acidity - If you need to cut the acidity in your sauce, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavor.
- freezing tomato sauce - It's super convenient to freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for future meals. Just thaw, heat, and serve!
- substitutions - Visit the recipe variations section in the blogpost for ideas.
Stephanie says
This was my first time creating homemade tomato sauce so thanks for the detailed instructions. The sauce is tangy, tasty and much better than any I've purchased.
Traci says
Yay! I'm glad you went for it and enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Ned says
Hands down, the easiest and most delicious tomato sauce!! Thank you for this recipe.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed the sauce. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Kushigalu says
This tomato sauce looks amazingly delicious. Thanks a lot for sharing
Traci says
You're so welcome! Glad you can enjoy it. Thanks!
Suja md says
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Traci says
I'm so glad you can enjoy elote! Thanks so much!
Elizabeth says
This is the perfect way to use up all those extra tomatoes from the summer garden. There's nothing like making tomato sauce from fresh produce! Can't wait to try this over a big plate of pasta.
Traci says
Yes!! This recipe can easily be made with fresh tomatoes. We do it every year. Thanks for sharing your experience! Enjoy!
M-J says
About to try your recipe. We are aiming for that authentic Italian taste and I found fennel in your recipe that would be the Italian taste we are so craving!
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 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.
Dawn 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 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 🙂