Tomato Sauce Recipe

When I first posted this Tomato Sauce Recipe, I didn’t expect something so easy could taste so indulgent. Fresh tomatoes that have cooked slowly with garlic, olive oil and herbs develop a deep, naturally sweet taste impossible to find in jarred sauce. The smell alone, warm and faintly tangy, gently savor permeates the kitchen and makes you hungry before dinner’s even begun. This bright, balanced homemade tomato sauce is smooth and easy to make, a must-have foundation for countless comfort meals.

What makes this tomato sauce recipe so special is the fact that it utilizes real, fresh ingredients to create bold flavor from the ground up. If you enjoy cooking from scratch, you’ll see how well it stacks up against our Tomato Sauce Recipe With Fresh Tomatoes, where ripe tomatoes take center stage. The slow simmer method thickens the sauce with its own starches, making it flavor-rich but light and clean. The result? A smooth texture that hugs pasta like no other, slathers into homemade pizza and lends depth to casseroles, meatballs and baked dishes.

This simple tomato sauce is also great with other sauces you make at home, adding layered flavor. For a touch of richness, mix it in with our Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe for a velvety finish, or use it as the base before whisking in creamy ones like in our Alfredo Sauce Recipe With Milk for a balanced tomato-cream hybrid. Whether you’re making a speedy weeknight meal or let’s be honest, a low and slow Sunday feast, this basic tomato sauce recipe will give tongue-coating flavor, fresh ingredients and true homemade taste every time.

This Tomato Sauce Recipe is rich, smooth, and made with simple pantry ingredients for a fresh homemade taste.
Slow-simmered tomatoes create deep flavor, natural sweetness, and a silky texture that clings to pasta perfectly.
It’s a versatile sauce you can use for spaghetti, pizza, casseroles, meatballs, or cozy weeknight dinners.
Pair it with Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe for extra richness, or keep it classic and bright.
For another fresh option, check Tomato Sauce Recipe With Fresh Tomatoes.

Classic Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe

A rich, smooth, and flavorful homemade tomato sauce made with simple ingredients and slow-simmered to perfection. This easy tomato sauce recipe is perfect for pasta, pizza, casseroles, and meal prep.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 120

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 800 g 28 oz crushed tomatoes (or fresh peeled tomatoes)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon sugar optional, to balance acidity
• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped (optional)

Equipment

• 1 Large saucepan
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 Sharp knife
• 1 Cutting board
• 1 blender or immersion blender (optional, for smooth texture)

Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste until fully combined.
4. Add salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, and sugar if using.
5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
6. Let it simmer uncovered for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
7. For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender or transfer carefully to a blender.
8. Stir in fresh basil at the end for a bright finish.
9. Serve warm over pasta, use for pizza, or store for later use.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, let the sauce simmer longer (up to 1 hour).
• You can freeze this tomato sauce for up to 3 months.
• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy variation.
• This sauce works beautifully as a base for lasagna, meatballs, or creamy tomato pasta dishes.

Share Your Twist on This Tomato Sauce Recipe! 🍅✨

Did you make your Tomato Sauce Recipe extra bold by slow-roasting the tomatoes first for a deeper, slightly caramelized flavor?

Did you go the cozy-Italian route and add sautéed onions + extra garlic, letting everything melt into a rich, silky sauce that hugs every bite of pasta?

Maybe you turned it into a spicy favorite with red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a tiny spoon of chili oil for that gentle heat that lingers (in the best way).

Or kept it beautifully simple: olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and a slow simmer… and let the tomatoes do the talking.

Whatever your twist is, we’d love to see it!
📸 Tag your plate with #OoohDelishTwist on Instagram or Facebook you might be featured!

FAQs: Tomato Sauce Recipe