Homemade Rich Tomato Sauce
This tomato sauce is built through slow simmering of fresh or canned tomatoes, combined with sautéed onions and garlic to develop deep, layered flavors. It results in a thick, vibrant sauce with a slightly smoky undertone, perfect for spooning over pasta or serving with polenta. The final texture is rich, velvety, and deeply savory, with a beautiful crimson hue.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil preferably fruity and grassy
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced or finely chopped
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes fresh or canned, whole or peeled
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 bunch fresh basil chopped, added at the end
- to taste salt start with a teaspoon and adjust
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
- pinch red pepper flakes red pepper flakes optional, for subtle heat
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers and begins to gently smoke.
- Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes. The aroma should turn sweet and inviting.
- Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it; you'll notice a rich aroma filling the kitchen.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate all those flavorful bits. The sauce will start bubbling and release a fragrant tomato smell.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 30 to 40 minutes. It will thicken, deepen in color, and develop a rich aroma as the flavors meld.
- In the last 10 minutes, stir in chopped fresh basil, dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat. Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed, adjusting until balanced.
- If you prefer a smooth sauce, briefly blend it with an immersion blender until velvety, taking care to avoid splashing hot liquid. For a chunkier texture, leave it as is.
- Remove the sauce from heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes to let the flavors settle and deepen. Finish with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil for shine and richness.
- Serve the sauce warm over your favorite pasta, grilled bread, or even eggs for a hearty brunch. Enjoy the rich, layered flavors and the comforting aroma that fills your kitchen.