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–+ servings
A small glass jar filled with bright red, chunky sauce sits on a dark wooden surface.

Simple Tomato Sauce

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A rich, vibrant tomato sauce made in just 30 minutes with fresh garlic, basil, and an umami boost. Use it for meatballs or toss with any pasta craving a punch of classic Italian flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Dressing/Condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Onion small dice
  • 1 can Tomatoes crushed or diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 Handful Basil
  • ½ tsp Sugar
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Umami powder

Equipment

  • Medium Pot
  • Wooden Spoon

Method
 

Cook Aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a pot.
  2. Add diced onion and cook 1-2 minutes until soft but not browned.
  3. Add sliced garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent.
Build Sauce
  1. Lower heat to low, add canned tomatoes, sugar, and umami powder if using.
  2. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Finish
  1. Just before serving, stir in chopped basil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Notes

Storage: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.

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