Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced 2 pounds (900g) ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a hint of spice Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for a hint of spice

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 8g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the diced tomatoes, fresh basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired) to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5.
   Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together, remove it from the heat.
6. 6.
   For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until desired texture is achieved.
7. 7.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   The Tomato Basil Sauce is now ready to be used in your favorite Italian dishes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomatoes — Choose ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can use canned tomatoes as a substitute.
• Basil — Use fresh basil leaves for the most aromatic and vibrant flavor. If fresh basil is not available, you can use dried basil, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoother sauce, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after blending.
• Add a splash of red wine during the simmering process for an extra layer of flavor.
• If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can skip the blending step and leave the tomatoes as diced.

Serving advice

Serve the Tomato Basil Sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or penne. Top it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil for an added burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a sprig of fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an elegant touch. Serve the pasta in a shallow bowl to showcase the vibrant red color of the sauce.