Print

Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce from Canned Tomatoes (The Versatile Pantry Staple)

A close-up of thick, vibrant red tomato sauce with visible texture, served in a small white bowl.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make restaurant-quality tomato sauce at home in just 30 minutes using simple canned tomatoes and pantry staples. This easy homemade tomato sauce recipe creates a rich, flavorful marinara that is better and cheaper than store-bought options. It is perfect for pasta, pizza, or chicken parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano preferred)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

  1. Drain the whole peeled tomatoes, reserving the liquid. Crush the tomatoes by hand or pulse briefly in a food processor until you have a chunky texture. Do not over-process; you want texture.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the pan. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved tomato liquid or a little water.
  4. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it simmer for at least 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer develops deep flavor.
  5. Taste the sauce after 25 minutes. If the sauce tastes too acidic, stir in the optional sugar. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the fresh, torn basil leaves.
  7. Use this best pasta sauce immediately over your favorite pasta, or cool completely before storing for later use.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pot after simmering.
  • This recipe is budget friendly and costs under $3 to make, providing a great alternative to jarred sauces.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummagnet.com/easy-homemade-tomato-sauce-recipe/