✨ A classic Italian tomato sauce that captures the essence of home-cooked comfort. Simple ingredients, rich flavor, and ready in under an hour!
📝 Ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (400g / 14 oz) of whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano if possible)
- Salt, to taste
- A pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- A few fresh basil leaves (or 1 tsp dried basil)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: a dash of oregano or chili flakes for extra kick
🍳 Instructions:
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion until soft and translucent (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant – don’t let it burn!
- Pour in the tomatoes, crushing them gently with a spoon or your hands.
- Season with salt and a pinch of sugar if needed.
- Simmer uncovered on low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and deepen in flavor.
- Add the basil and black pepper towards the end of cooking.
- Optional: Use an immersion blender for a smoother texture, or leave it chunky and rustic.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
🍝 Serving Ideas:
- Toss with spaghetti or penne for a quick weeknight dinner
- Use as a pizza base
- Layer in lasagna
- Serve with meatballs or eggplant parmigiana
💡 Tips:
- For deeper flavor, simmer longer – even up to an hour
- Fresh tomatoes can be used when in season (blanch, peel, and chop)
- Store in the fridge up to 5 days, or freeze for 3 months