Description
Classic homemade spaghetti sauce from Italy brings robust flavors straight to kitchen tables. Simmered tomatoes, herbs, and garlic combine into a rich, comforting meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (120 ml) water or vegetable broth
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat, gently cooking diced onions until they become soft and translucent, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic to the onions, stirring carefully to release its rich essence without scorching, which will enhance the sauce’s depth and complexity.
- Tomato Transformation: Incorporate crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste into the aromatic mixture, blending them thoroughly to create a robust and vibrant sauce foundation.
- Seasoning Symphony: Sprinkle dried oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper into the sauce, stirring meticulously to ensure an even distribution of flavors throughout the mixture.
- Flavor Development: Reduce heat to a low simmer, allowing the sauce to gradually meld and intensify its taste profile, occasionally stirring to prevent adherence to the pot and maintain consistent flavor integration.
- Final Refinement: After approximately 30 minutes of simmering, taste and adjust seasonings, potentially adding red pepper flakes for a subtle kick or extra sugar to balance the tomatoes’ natural acidity.
- Culinary Completion: Remove the sauce from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve generously over your preferred pasta, presenting a deeply satisfying and authentic homemade sauce.
Notes
- Prevent Burning Garlic: Sauté garlic briefly on low heat to release flavor without turning bitter or scorched, which can ruin the entire sauce’s taste.
- Balance Tomato Acidity: Add a pinch of sugar to neutralize the sharp tomato tang, creating a smoother, more rounded sauce flavor profile.
- Develop Deeper Flavor: Allow sauce to simmer slowly, which helps ingredients meld together and intensifies the overall taste complexity.
- Customize Spice Levels: Experiment with red pepper flakes or additional herbs to personalize the sauce’s heat and aromatic characteristics without overwhelming the base recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg