Imagine transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering tomato sauce that will make your taste buds dance and your dinner guests wonder if you've been secretly trained by an Italian chef! This "Tomato Sauce Basic Boom" recipe is about to become your new kitchen superpower, delivering authentic Italian flavors with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned home chef, this foolproof sauce will elevate your pasta dishes, pizzas, and more to restaurant-quality perfection.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 cups
Ingredients
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers and becomes fragrant.
- Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they become translucent and soft, approximately 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, being careful not to let the garlic brown as it can become bitter.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Add dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper to the sauce, stirring thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your preference.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using or storing in an airtight container.
Tips
- Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor - San Marzano tomatoes are ideal if you can find them.
- Don't rush the onion and garlic sautéing process; taking time to caramelize them develops deeper, richer flavors.
- Be gentle with garlic - it burns easily, which can make your sauce bitter. Add it later in the cooking process and watch carefully.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a Parmesan rind while simmering or a splash of red wine.
- This sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, so make a double batch and save some for later.
- Let the sauce cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and maintain optimal texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 90kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
