Go Back
Homemade tomato sauce in glass jars, rich red sauce made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil for pasta and pizza.

Recipe Title: Homemade Tomato Sauce

Summary: Make a rich, fresh homemade tomato sauce with garlic, fresh tomatoes, and basil for your pasta, pizza, and Italian dishes. Easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for healthy family meals.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped or minced
  • 12 –15 fresh tomatoes diced (or 3–4 cans crushed tomatoes)
  • 1½ teaspoons black pepper
  • 4 –6 tablespoons fresh basil chopped (or 1–2 tablespoons dried basil)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar optional
  • ⅓ cup grated parmesan or Romano cheese

Equipment

  • Equipment:
  • Large pot
  • - Wooden spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Instructions:
  2. 1️⃣ In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant without browning.
  3. 2️⃣ Add crushed or fresh tomatoes and stir to combine.
  4. 3️⃣ Season with black pepper and add fresh basil. Stir well.
  5. 4️⃣ Add sugar if desired to balance acidity.
  6. 5️⃣ Lower heat and simmer uncovered for 25–35 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
  7. 6️⃣ Stir in grated parmesan or Romano cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
  8. 7️⃣ Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Notes

Notes:
For a smooth sauce, blend with an immersion blender before adding cheese.
Add red pepper flakes for heat if desired.
Store in the fridge for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Perfect over pasta, as pizza sauce, or in lasagna.