Homemade Tomato Sauce 🍅

Nothing beats the rich aroma of homemade tomato sauce simmering on the stovetop. 🍅 This hearty recipe serves 8–10 people, making it perfect for family gatherings or meal prepping. While it may seem like a large batch, you can easily cut it in half—or better yet, portion and freeze it so you’ll always have fresh, homemade tomato sauce ready to go!

The Perfect Pairing: Homemade Italian Bread 🍞

Nothing complements a rich, simmering homemade tomato sauce better than a warm loaf of freshly baked Italian bread. Soft on the inside with a golden, crispy crust, it’s perfect for dipping, sopping up sauce, or making the ultimate garlic bread.

👉 Get the recipe here!

Ingredients (Serves 8–10)

Tomato Base

• 2 (28 oz) cans tomato sauce

• 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes

• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste

Aromatics & Vegetables

• 1 large yellow onion, sliced

• 2 red or green bell peppers, sliced (optional)

• 3 cloves garlic, diced

Herbs & Seasonings

• 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp dried basil (or substitute 14g fresh basil if available)

• 14g fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tbsp dried oregano (do not use fresh)

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1 tbsp kosher or sea salt

• 1 tsp ground black pepper

• ½ tsp sugar (optional but helps cut acidity)

Cooking Essentials

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp butter

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.

2. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened.

3. Stir in the dried oregano and cook for 30 seconds to release its aroma.

4. Add the diced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

5. Pour in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes.

6. Fill each empty tomato can halfway with water, stir to loosen any remaining sauce, and add the water to the pot.

7. Stir in the tomato paste until fully incorporated.

8. Add all the spices and herbs (basil, parsley, salt, pepper, and sugar), then stir well to combine.

Finishing the Sauce

9. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

10. Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed, adjusting to your preference.

💡 Optional Additions: If using homemade meatballs or Italian sausage, add them to the sauce while it simmers to infuse even more flavor. Note: This sauce freezes well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months for future use.

Call it sauce or gravy, either way it's delicious!