Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce 

There’s something so satisfying about making your own tomato sauce from fresh garden tomatoes. This simple homemade tomato sauce is packed with flavor, naturally sweetened by the tomatoes themselves—no added sugar like the store-bought versions. Plus, it’s perfect for making in bulk and freezing, so you’ll always have a delicious sauce ready to go for your favorite dishes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No Added Sugar: Unlike many jarred sauces, this homemade version is all-natural and free of added sugars.
• Fresh Garden Tomatoes: If you have fresh tomatoes, this is the perfect way to use them up.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch and freeze it in portions for easy weeknight dinners.
• Customizable: You can adjust the seasonings or add other veggies like onions and peppers.

this recipe

Ingredients you’ll need

• Fresh garden tomatoes (about 3 pounds)
• Olive oil
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Diced sweet onion (optional) 
• Fresh basil (optional)
• Oregano (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Paprika (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the tomatoes: If you’re using fresh tomatoes be sure to remove the stems and slice off the tops. 
2. Cook the sauce: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the whole tomatoes and cook, breaking them down with a spoon as they soften, this takes anywhere from 20-30 minutes.
3. Season: Add salt, pepper, onion and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. Thicken: Fresh tomatoes can be very juicy, to help thicken my sauce and add additional flavor I add 4 oz of tomato paste and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the sauce. Stir and let simmer for a final 10 minutes. 
5. Blend (optional): For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce to your desired consistency. I skip this step as I like a chunkier sauce with pasta. 
6. Finish and store: Stir in fresh basil if using, and adjust seasoning to taste. Let the sauce cool before dividing it into portions for freezing or immediate use.

Why I started making homemade tomato sauce

A few years back I was stuck in a rut, sick of store bought pasta sauce that just felt boring. I decided to look up how to make your own pasta sauce one evening and was surprised by how simple it seemed. I started by using canned crushed tomatoes, adding fresh garlic, salt, pepper and some basil. It took me no longer than it would have to heat up the jarred sauce and it already tasted fresher and more flavorful. From there I was hooked!

Flash forward to 2024, I started my first garden at our house and decided to grow tomatoes. Our harvest was great this year and I found myself left with a lot of tomatoes that I needed to do something with. This recipe is great if you have excess tomatoes or are looking to meal prep and freeze sauce for the winter so you have a quick and easy meal option ready to go. 

Serving Suggestions

This sauce is versatile! Use it for pasta, pizza, or as a base for soups and stews. 

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freezer: Freeze in airtight glass containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

If you try this sauce don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how you liked it! Pin this recipe to your meal prep board so you always have it on hand!

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