Why Make Homemade Tomato Sauce?

Most canned tomato pasta sauces are filled with a dozen ingredients and spices. The overdone sauce complicates the pure sweet flavor of the tomato itself. The key is using the right canned tomatoes and good quality olive oil as a base. Italian recipes are mostly simple - a few fresh ingredients create a balanced combination of flavors that complement one another perfectly. This is the authentic Italian way!

Can I use my canned tomatoes for this Italian tomato sauce recipe?

Absolutely! I encourage it. If you harvest and can your own fresh tomatoes in the summer months, they are perfect for this simple sauce. You will highlight the freshness of the tomatoes with this minimalist Italian tomato sauce recipe.

What canned tomatoes should I use for Sugo al Pomodoro?

For this recipe, we use the best-canned tomatoes we can find. Picked at the peak of ripeness and properly packaged, the right canned tomatoes are perfect for this classic Italian tomato sauce recipe. Don't use a brand that uses a lot of citric acids to preserve freshness- or it can make the sauce acidic. If you end up with a sauce that is a little acidic, add a teaspoon of sugar. I like to use whole tomatoes, such as the San Marzano tomato. Whole tomatoes are less processed since they aren't diced or crushed by a machine. Brands I recommend: Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes , Cento Italian Style Peeled Tomatoes , Dellalo San Marzano (DOP) Whole Peeled Tomatoes , Muir Glen Organic , and Mutti Peeled Whole Tomatoes . If you are interested in reading more in-depth about canned tomatoes the NY Times published a great article .

Can I double this tomato sauce recipe?

Yes! Absolutely. I often make a double batch, or even triple, and store the extra in the refrigerator or freezer.

What Is The Best Olive Oil For This Recipe?

I don't cut corners regarding quality extra virgin olive oil. Flavorful olive oil is a good base for any recipe. I always recommend using high-quality ingredients because you will really taste the flavor difference, and it is worth it! These are the olive oil brands that I recommend that you can find at most grocery stores in the United States: DeLallo , Colavita , Bertolli , California Olive Ranch , HemisFares , and Spectrum. (Contains affiliate links.)

Sugo al Pomodoro (Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce)

Name: Sugo al Pomodoro Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PT-476112H36M24S
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 small onion (yellow or white), chopped or cut into thin slices (depending on preference); 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (good quality such as Colavita); 1 28 oz can of good quality whole peeled canned tomatoes (you can also use crushed tomatoes, or passata (tomato puree); 5-6 leaves of fresh basil, whole and washed; Salt and Pepper to taste

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 small onion (yellow or white), chopped or cut into thin slices (depending on preference)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (good quality such as Colavita)
1 28 oz can of good quality whole peeled canned tomatoes (you can also use crushed tomatoes, or passata (tomato puree)
5–6 leaves of fresh basil, whole and washed
Salt and Pepper to taste

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Instructions

In a large saucepan or pot, medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion for about 6 minutes, until translucent.
Add canned tomatoes. Cover and let simmer on low-medium heat (the sauce should bubble, but not boil) after 10 minutes of cooking crush the whole tomatoes with a wooden spoon to break them up. You can also use an immersion blender.
Cook for 20-25 minutes until the liquid reduces slightly. Stir occasionally during cooking.
Turn off the heat and add the basil to the sauce. Add salt and a bit of pepper to taste. If you notice any bitterness you may add a teaspoon of sugar. If you notice the sauce isn’t as thick as you like it add a tablespoon of good quality pure tomato paste.
Store in the fridge or freezer and use as a sauce for pasta, polenta, gnocchi, and more!

Notes

Storing Fridge- store prepared tomato sauce in Mason jars or tightly sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to one week. Freezer – as long as the cooked sauce is sealed in a proper container or in a proper freezer bag it will last several months in the freezer.

I always have this sauce on hand as we eat it weekly and I use it as a base for several other Italian recipes!

Author: Elena
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Sauces
Method: Italian
Cuisine: Italian