Making your own tomato sauce

Ah, the aroma of freshly made tomato sauce wafting through the house—is there anything better? We can't imagine it, and we're sure you'll love it too. So why settle for stale store-bought food when you can make your own flavorful tomato sauce? Investing your time in making sauces like this one means you gain control over the ingredients (and therefore the salt, sugar, and oil content) and can tailor the flavor exactly to your liking. Let's take a look at what makes this kitchen classic so unique.

What is tomato sauce anyway?

Tomato sauce, as the name suggests, is a sauce made from tomatoes. It's a concentrated form of flavor, with herbs, spices, and other additives playing the leading roles. It often serves as a base for other sauces, soups, and stews, and it's a shortcut to adding flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Whether it's a simple pasta dish or a complex lasagna , tomato sauce is involved. The foundation of an authentic tomato sauce is ripe tomatoes, olive oil, onion, garlic, salt, and herbs like basil and oregano.

How do you make tomato sauce?

Making tomato sauce starts with choosing the right tomatoes. Ripe, juicy tomatoes are ideal. Once you have your tomatoes, peel and deseed them to create a smooth sauce. Then, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until soft.

You can choose to puree your tomatoes at this point or leave them whole. Once they're in the pan, it's simply a matter of cooking them slowly, stirring regularly, until you achieve a sauce of the desired consistency.

How do you store tomato sauce?

Tomato sauce keeps for about a week in the refrigerator, but can also be frozen for later use. When freezing the sauce, allow room for expansion to prevent the container from breaking. Freezing it in portions can be an easy way to use the sauce later.

Tip: You can also can tomato sauce! Canning is a process where food is sterilized in sealed glass jars to preserve it longer. This ensures you always have a jar of homemade tomato sauce ready to use in your next culinary adventure.

Let's get started!

Whether you're an avid cook or just a little homesick for grandma's kitchen, making your own tomato sauce is a fantastic way to improve your cooking skills. So what are you waiting for? Get those fresh tomatoes and get cooking! And remember, the best way to savor your sauce is with a generous dose of love and a generous helping of patience.