Don't underestimate this really easy tomato sauce. It may be easy but this is one of those really useful recipes to have in your collection. Use this Really Easy Tomato Sauce as a simple sauce for pasta, a pizza topping, or part of a more complex dish.
Ingredients
Scroll down for quantities and full printable recipe at the bottom of this post.
Made with ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen This sauce takes minutes to prepare.
- Olive oil
- onion
- Can chopped tomatoes
- Tomato purée (tomato paste)
- Mixed dried herbs
- salt and pepper, to taste
Once you have tried it I am sure there will be no more reaching for that (relatively) expensive jar of ready-made sauce tomato sauce. This homemade tomato sauce not only tastes as good if not better, it doesn't have any of those nasty additives and preservatives that you find in the shop bought counter part.
How to make my really east tomato sauce in just 3 steps
Step One
Cook the chopped onion in a little oil over a low heat gently for 5 to 10 minutes until softened, translucent and just beginning to take on a little colour.
This is sometimes called sweating the onions.
Then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Step Two
Pour in the tin of chopped tomatoes. Increase the heat and bring to a simmer stirring constantly.
Step Three
Stir in the tomato purée and herbs. Reduce the heat again and simmer gently for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavours to blend. Stir occasionally. Season to taste and use as required.
Hints, Tips and Variations
- Longer cooking will subtly develop and intensify the flavour. Do this if time permits. If the sauce starts to thicken too much, then just add a little water.
- You can purée the soup or push through a sieve to make a smooth tomato sauce. (Italians often do this.)
- The sauce works well with dried herbs such as mixed dried herbs or oregano, making it a great store cupboard recipe. In the summer, I add fresh basil from the garden torn into pieces for the last couple of minutes of cooking.
- If you have a glut of tomatoes you can make this with fresh tomatoes. Skin the tomatoes (plunge into boiling water for 10 seconds then peel) and roughly chop. You can also use them unpeeled if you like.
To store
The sauce can be made in advance. Cool and chill until required. Keep chilled in a cover container for up to 4 days
Freeze for up to 6 months.
Really Easy Tomato Sauce
Equipment
- saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 400 g (14oz) can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée (tomato paste)
- 2 teaspoon mixed dried herbs
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan and gently cook one chopped onion for 5-10 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add one clove chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add a 400g (14oz) can of chopped tomatoes and bring to simmering point.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato purée and 2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs. Simmer gently for at least 15 minutes. Season to taste and use as required.
Notes
- Longer cooking will subtly develop and intensify the flavour. Do this if time permits. If the sauce starts to thicken too much, then just add a little water.
- You can purée the soup or push through a sieve to make a smooth tomato sauce. (Italians often do this.)
- The sauce works well with dried herbs such as mixed dried herbs or oregano, making it a great store cupboard recipe. In the summer, I add fresh basil from the garden torn into pieces for the last couple of minutes of cooking.
- If you have a glut of tomatoes you can make this with fresh tomatoes. Skin the tomatoes (plunge into boiling water for 10 seconds then peel) and roughly chop. You can also use them unpeeled if you like.
Carole r says
Lovely quick sauce to make for pasta made this many times
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thanks You! And so much better than bottled sauce don't you think. Its also useful for so much more than pasta try it topped with cheese for an easy pizza topping for example serve it with grilled fish. Yum!