Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce: A Rustic Family Recipe (Print Version)

Classic Italian Tomato Sauce: Craft a simple, homemade sauce bursting with ripe tomatoes & fresh herbs. The perfect taste of Italy for your kitchen.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (check ingredients)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 3 tbsp good quality olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 (28 oz) cans San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn or roughly chopped
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
08 - 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
10 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

→ Optional Extras

11 - 1-2 inch piece of Parmesan rind

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, honestly, it makes all the difference for even cooking. Pour in a generous glug of good olive oil—you want enough to coat the bottom nicely. Heat it over medium-low heat, then add your finely diced yellow onion. Let it soften slowly, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You're not looking for color here, just translucent, sweet onion. This gentle cooking builds the first layer of flavor for our Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce, and trust me, patience is key here. I've rushed this step before, and the sauce just didn't have that deep, mellow sweetness.
02 - Once the onion is soft and fragrant, toss in your minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir them constantly for just about a minute, until you can smell that incredible garlic aroma wafting through your kitchen. Be super careful not to burn the garlic—it turns bitter so fast! I've had a few "oops" moments where I walked away for a second too long, and suddenly, the whole batch tasted off. That's why I'm always hovering here, watching it like a hawk. This quick step is crucial for infusing the oil with a vibrant, warm flavor before the tomatoes go in.
03 - Now for the star of the show! Pour in your San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes. If they're whole, crush them with your hands right in the pot—it's messy, but so satisfying and gives a rustic texture. Add the dried oregano, a pinch of sugar, and the optional Parmesan rind. Stir everything together. You’ll start to see that beautiful rich red color. This is where the magic begins to happen, and the kitchen starts to smell like pure Italian comfort. Don't forget that sugar; it's a little secret for balancing the acidity in this Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce.
04 - Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook for at least an hour, or even better, two. The longer, the better, honestly, for a truly rich Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce. Stir it every 15-20 minutes, scraping the bottom to prevent sticking. You'll notice the sauce thickening and the flavors deepening. This slow simmer allows all those beautiful ingredients to really get to know each other. I sometimes forget to stir and find a little crust on the bottom, but hey, that's just extra flavor, right?
05 - After simmering, remove the Parmesan rind if you used it. Now, taste the Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce and season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. This is your chance to adjust it to your liking. I tend to add a little, taste, add a little more—it's a dance! Finally, stir in the fresh basil. Don't cook the basil for too long; you want its vibrant freshness to shine through. It’s that final flourish that really brightens everything up and makes it smell utterly divine.
06 - Your Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce is ready! It should be rich, slightly thick, and bursting with fresh tomato flavor, with just a hint of sweetness and a touch of warmth from the pepper flakes. It looks like pure comfort, smells like Nonna's kitchen, and tastes like a hug. Serve it over your favorite pasta, with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan, or use it as a base for other dishes. This is the moment all that simmering pays off, and honestly, the simple beauty of it never gets old for me.

# Notes:

01 - Always use good quality canned tomatoes, like San Marzano. It makes a world of difference in the final flavor, I learned that the hard way with some watery, bland sauces.
02 - This Homestyle Italian Tomato Sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 5-7 days, or freezes for 3-4 months. Don't microwave it for reheating, stovetop is best!
03 - If you're out of fresh basil, a bit more dried oregano can work, but for that vibrant taste, fresh is truly best.
04 - Serve this sauce over pasta with fresh Parmesan, or as a base for chicken parmesan—it's pure comfort.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
02 - wooden spoon
03 - cutting board
04 - chef's knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 200 kcal
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 5g

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