Homemade Tomato Sauce

Homemade Tomato Sauce: My family’s tomato sauce recipe that has been passed down through generations. This recipe is the perfect balance and is sure to become your all-purpose tomato sauce. 

I have a love affair with pastas. And a special place in my heart for Italian Red Sauce.

Homemade Tomato Sauce

My family’s recipe for red pasta sauce has been passed from generation from generations. And it is simple perfection.

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This tomato sauce is perfect for spaghetti, slathered over homemade meatballs, or on the base of pizzas. But my most favorite thing to do with my homemade bread is to dip it in a pot of homemade simmering tomato sauce.

How to Make Tomato Sauce for Pasta

My recipe for tomato sauce for pasta is simple. It starts with canned crushed tomatoes, instead of fresh tomatoes. And then the canned tomatoes develop a rich, comforting red sauce, as they are slowly simmered with olive oil, garlic and Italian herbs.

The secret to this homemade tomato sauce is low and slow. The longer you can let the sauce simmer on the stove the better. The flavor of the tomatoes will develop and the sauce will thicken, becoming a luxuriously rich Italian red sauce worthy of a restaurant.

How to Make Tomato Sauce in the Slow Cooker

If you don’t have time to watch over homemade pasta sauce simmering on the stove, this recipe can easily be adapted for the slow cooker.

When cooking the tomato sauce in the slow cooker, reduce the water to 1 3/4 cups instead of 2 1/4 cups. Less water evaporates in the slow cooker, so you won’t need as much liquid.

Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours.

How to Freeze Homemade Pasta Sauce

One of the greatest things about this tomato sauce, is that it makes a ton and can be used in so many ways. I use this in so many recipes ranging from soups, pizzas, casseroles, to just a dipping sauce.

That is why I recommend making a large batch and freeze in 1-2 cup portions for later use.

To Freeze Tomato Sauce

1. Prepare tomato sauce as directed in recipe.
2. Allow sauce to cool to room temperature.
3. Place in 1-2 cup portions in freezer safe bags or containers.
4. Freeze solid for up to 5 months.
5. Defrost in fridge before using homemade tomato sauce.

Notes on Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• This is NOT a fast sauce. Because this recipe uses canned tomatoes, the longer the red sauce simmers, the better.
• I prefer crushed tomatoes for this recipe, but tomato puree or tomato sauce works as well.
• Sometimes, I like to add a 1/2 cup dry red wine to the sauce for extra flavor.
• My mom will add butter instead of olive oil to this easy tomato sauce recipe. Butter will give the sauce a more rich taste, but the olive oil will keep this Pasta Sauce dairy free.
• I sweeten this recipe with a bit of honey, which helps to balance the tomatoes acidity. You can use white or brown sugar for a vegan tomato sauce, in place of the honey.
• Homemade tomato sauce will last for 3-4 days in the fridge and for up to 5 months in freezer.
• If you don’t care for garlic, omit from sauce.
• You can also add veggies to this tomato sauce by adding in 1/2 cup pureed sweet potato, carrot or pumpkin. No one will ever know! In fact, my mom said she did this all the time to us kids as we were growing up.

Recipes that Use Homemade Tomato Sauce

• Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
• Easy 5 Ingredient Baked Rotini
• Easy Pizza Lasagna Roll Ups
• 4 Ingredient Tortellini Soup
• Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese with Marinara Soup
• Instant Pot Lasagna

Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipe

4.5 from 4 votes

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Homemade Tomato Sauce

The best homemade marinara sauce. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Marinara Sauce, Tomato Sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 51 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 28 oz low sodium tomato sauce or puree
• 1 Tbs oregano
• 1 18 oz can of tomato paste
• 2 tsp basil
• 2 1/4 cup water fill the tomato paste can with water
• 1 tsp rosemary leaves
• 3 Tbs parsley
• 2 Tbs olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cloves garlic smashed
• 2 Tbs honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Stove Top Directions

1. Simmer all ingredients on low fro 3-5 hours. Remove garlic cloves and bay leaves.

Slow Cooker Instructions

1. When cooking the tomato sauce in the slow cooker, reduce the water to 1 3/4 cups instead of 2 1/4 cups. Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours. 

Recipe Notes

• I prefer crushed tomatoes for this recipe, but tomato puree or tomato sauce works as well. 
• Feel free to add a 1/2 cup dry red wine to the sauce for extra flavor. 
• My mom will add butter instead of olive oil to this easy tomato sauce recipe. Butter will give the sauce a more rich taste, but the olive oil will keep this Pasta Sauce dairy free.
• I sweeten this recipe with a bit of honey, which helps to balance the tomatoes acidity. You can use white or brown sugar for a vegan tomato sauce, in place of the honey. 
• Homemade tomato sauce will last for 3-4 days in the fridge and for up to 5 months in freezer. 
• If you don't care for garlic, omit from sauce. 
• You can also add veggies to this tomato sauce by adding in 1/2 cup pureed sweet potato, carrot or pumpkin. No one will ever know! In fact, my mom said she did this all the time to us kids as we were growing up.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 51 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g 3%

Sodium 362mg 15%

Potassium 242mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 5g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 7.7%

Vitamin C 7.8%

Calcium 2.2%

Iron 5.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.