Making tomato sauce from scratch is a delicious and versatile culinary skill. You can use homemade tomato sauce in pasta dishes, pizza, soups, stews, and many other recipes. Hence, this article,will explain how to make tomatoes sauce from scratch.
Ingredients
- 8-10 ripe tomatoes (about 2.5 pounds)
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (add more or less to your taste)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1-2 teaspoons dried herbs (such as basil, oregano, or thyme) or a handful of fresh herbs
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional for added flavor)
How To Make Tomatoes Sauce From Scratch
Instructions
Prep The Tomatoes
- In a big pot, bring a lot of water to a boil. Put water and ice cubes in a bowl to make an ice bath.
- Cut a small “X” on the bottom of each tomato.
- When the water is boiling, carefully submerge the tomatoes in it for 30 sec to 1 min, or until the skin begins to peel.
- Take the tomatoes out of the hot water and put them in the ice bath right away. This will stop the skin from cooking and make it easy to peel.
- After a minute in the ice bath, peel the tomatoes. The skin should come off quickly. Cut out the core and roughly chop the tomatoes.
Saute Onions And Garlic
- In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Saute the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes, or until it gets transparent.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
Cook The Tomatoes
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot, salt, black pepper, and sugar (if using). Stir well.
- Add the dry herbs now if you’re using them. If you’re using fresh herbs, save them until last.
- To add flavor and heat, add the bay leaf and red pepper flakes.
- Let the mixture simmer on low to medium-low heat, uncovered, for about 30-45 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Optional Wine And Fresh Herbs
- If you want to add wine for extra flavor, pour it into the sauce and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- If using fresh herbs, chop them finely and stir them into the sauce during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
Taste And Adjust
- Enjoy the sauce and make any necessary changes to the spices.
- More salt, pepper, sugar, or herbs can be added to taste.
Remove Bay Leaf And Blend (Optional)
- If you added a bay leaf, remove it from the sauce.
- If you want a smooth sauce, you can use an immersion blender or move it to a regular blender (but let it cool down first).
Serve
Your homemade tomato sauce is ready to serve! Use it immediately with your favorite pasta, pizza, or other dishes. You can also store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for extended storage.
Leftover
Store leftover homemade tomato sauce in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for several months. Repurpose it as a pasta or pizza sauce in soups, casseroles, or condiments. Reheat before use for safety and flavor.
Tips
- Choose Ripe Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best sauce. Roma or San Marzano tomatoes are excellent choices, but you can also use other varieties.
- Peel the Tomatoes: Peeling the tomatoes by blanching them in hot water and cooling them in ice makes for a smoother sauce.
- Balancing Flavors: Adjust the sugar, salt, and herbs to balance the acidity and create your desired flavor profile.
- Customize with Herbs: Experiment with different herbs and spices to tailor the sauce to your taste. Basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary are popular choices.
- Use Fresh or Canned Tomatoes: While fresh tomatoes are plentiful, canned tomatoes (whole, crushed, or diced) can be used year-round for consistent results.
- Consistency: If you want a better sauce, you can use a regular blender or an immersion mixer to puree it. Leave it as is if you want a thick sauce..
- Freezing Portions: Freeze leftover sauce in small portions (e.g., ice cube trays or small containers) for easy use in future recipes.
- Thicken if Needed: If your sauce is too thin, let it boil longer to get rid of some of the water. On the other hand, if it’s too thick, add a little water or soup.
- Cooking Time: Longer cooking times allow flavors to meld, but be mindful not to overcook and lose the fresh tomato flavor.
- Repurposing: Get creative with using leftover sauce in various recipes, from pasta and pizza to soups and casseroles.
Making tomato sauce from scratch is rewarding, offering a superior taste to store-bought versions. Whether for pasta, pizza, or other culinary creations, this homemade sauce is a flavorful foundation, highlighting the essence of fresh, ripe tomatoes and your culinary prowess.
Thanks for reading.
