There's something almost magical about my Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe—the rich aroma of San Marzano tomatoes simmering on the stove, the heady scent of fresh basil filling the kitchen, and that subtle kick from a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. These are more than just ingredients; they're transformative elements that elevate your favorite Italian recipes from good to Italian Grandma level.
Welcome to my kitchen where I will create a homemade tomato sauce that will become the heart and soul of your Italian cooking.
This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Vegetarian and Vegan
Table of Contents
7 Reasons to Love This Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with this homemade tomato sauce recipe! Here are 7 reasons why you'll adore it:
- A truly simple recipe for homemade marinara sauce.
- Absolutely zero sugar added and perfectly balanced.
- Simple to follow instructions to recreate easily in your kitchen.
- Makes a large quantity and stores well in the fridge.
- Completely low-carb, but who would think it?
- Works great in place of any store-bought tomato sauce.
- Can have added heat or more herbs, depending on your preference.
Inspiration For This Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
If you've ever found yourself staring at the rows of store-bought tomato sauces in the grocery store, wondering why it's so hard to find one without added sugar, preservatives, or a laundry list of ingredients you can't pronounce, you're not alone. That very frustration served as the starting point for this homemade marinara sauce.
I was on a mission to create the best tomato sauce recipe that was not only sugar-free but also an easy recipe anyone could make at home. I needed a basic tomato sauce that, in just a few simple steps, would be fantastic for pasta dishes, homemade pizza, baked ziti and more. I was on a mission to create a sauce that was delicious to eat and utilized only a handful of high-quality ingredients. No fillers, no artificial nonsense, just the natural goodness of tomatoes and the aromatic flair of fresh herbs.
This recipe embodies a combination of many attempts to make an easy homemade tomato sauce. I put in the hard work for each element, from the kind of tomatoes (fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and more!) to capturing the essence of what a great sauce should be: smooth, flavorful, and versatile. Whether you're choosing to eat low-carb or keto doesn't matter... this recipe is for anyone who appreciates real, honest food. This easy sauce has so much flavor and is designed to impress without anyone stressing in the kitchen.
Is This Homemade Tomato Sauce Low-Carb or Keto?
The answer is easy peasy: Yes, it is! This recipe contains just 6g net carbs per ½ cup serving. One of the hidden ingredients in traditional, store -bought tomato sauces that can derail a low-carb or keto lifestyle is sugar. Not in this recipe. The reason, aside from those listed above, that I believe this is the best homemade tomato sauce is the simple fact that there is NO SUGAR NEEDED. Thanks to the natural sweet flavor of high-quality tomatoes and aromatic spices, we will keep the rich, deep flavors intact.
You might be wondering if skipping the sugar really makes a big difference. Absolutely. Besides cutting down on unnecessary carbs, the absence of added sugar allows the true flavors of the tomatoes and fresh basil to shine through. This creates a sauce that not only complements but elevates whatever dish you add it to.
Going keto or sticking to a low-carb lifestyle doesn't mean compromising on taste. This batch of fresh tomato sauce is proof of that.
What Are The Ingredients Needed for This Recipe?
- Canned tomatoes (preferably San Marzano): These tomatoes are renowned for their rich flavor and velvety texture, making them a top choice for authentic Italian cooking.
- White onion, finely diced: The onion adds a layer of natural sweetness and complexity to the sauce.
- Garlic cloves, minced: Garlic provides a robust, aromatic punch that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This oil serves as the base of your sauce, imparting a rich, fruity aroma and smooth texture.
- Handful of fresh basil leaves: Fresh basil offers aromatic notes and a hint of peppery sweetness to the sauce. If you choose, dried oregano adds depth and that classic Italian flavor profile.
- Salt to taste: Self-explanatory—season to your own liking!
- Optional: red pepper flakes: For those who like a bit of heat, these add a subtle but noticeable kick.
Homemade Tomato Sauce Ingredient List
Here is a list of the ingredients with quantities you'll need to make tomato sauce recipe:
- 2 pound can of tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- handful of fresh basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- salt to taste
- optional: red pepper flakes
Ingredient Substitutions
Here are some easy substitutions to keep your homemade sauce on track:
- San Marzano tomatoes: Look for brands that are grown and packaged in Italy.
- White onion: Use a yellow onion or ½ of a Spanish onion.
- Garlic: Use 5-6 cloves of roasted garlic or 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic.
- Dried oregano: Use an Italian seasoning, dried marjoram, or even dried thyme.
- Fresh basil: Use 1 teaspoon of dried basil.
- Red pepper flakes: Omit if this is not a flavor you like.
Additional Ingredients
Looking to add a little extra flair to your easy homemade tomato sauce? Here are some tasty ingredients that pair perfectly:
- Herbs: Some chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or oregano make this sauce sing with flavor.
- Cheese: You could stir in some grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, but be careful, as this could upset the overall flavor.
- Sour cream: This is something I started to do about 15 years ago when I was making tomato sauce with cheap canned tomatoes (not from Italy), and the acid was way too high. I started adding about ¼ cup of sour cream. Not only does it taste delicious, but it makes the sauce turn into a beautiful orange-red color.
- Protein: Some browned bulk Italian sausage or browned ground beef transforms this sauce from a tomato sauce into a hearty, filling sauce.
Note: These ingredients are optional and you can use them to enhance the flavors of the recipe.
Cooking Tools Required
Here is a list of cooking tools you need to make tomato sauce from scratch:
- A large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife for prepping veggies
- Can opener for the tomatoes
- Recommended: immersion blender, blender, food mill, or food processor if you prefer a smooth sauce.
How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce: Complete Cooking Guide
Cooking Method
- Sautéing
- Simmering
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Finely dice onion.
- Mince garlic cloves.
- Have your torn basil leaves ready to go
Cooking Instructions
- Prep your ingredients: Dice onions, mince garlic, and gather the basil leaves.
- Sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add diced onion, cooking until soft and translucent (~5 minutes).
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for two minutes. Lower the heat to low.
- Tomatoes in: Add the tomatoes and juices from the can to the pan. Use a wooden or slotted spoon to break them down.
- Season: Add salt to taste.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
- Immersion blend: Toss in the basil leaves (or dried oregano) and carefully use the immersion blender.
- Taste and adjust: Adjust the salt and add the red pepper flakes if using.
- Enjoy: Voilà! You've got yourself an Italian tomato sauce that not only tastes amazing right off the stove, but even better the next day when those flavors have had time to get to know each other even better.
Step 1: Heat the olive oil and cook the onions and garlic. The flavors and aroma will open up nicely, setting the stage for this awesome sauce.
Step 2: Add the canned tomatoes (I use Mutti, but San Marzano is a great option too!) with their juices. Break them up with a wooden spoon.
Step 3: After the sauce has simmered it is time to add in the torn basil or dried oregano (or both!) and the optional red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Use an immersion blender, food processor or food mill to break the sauce down to the desired consistency. Enjoy!
💡 My Pro Tip
I talk a bit about buying tomatoes grown and packed in Italy. The reason for this is that they have a slightly sweeter flavor and lower acidity overall. Because of this, we can make a sauce that doesn’t need any additional sweetener to remove the acidic edge that tomatoes could elsewhere tend to have.
Believe me, I once thought that all canned tomatoes were created equally… but it is absolutely not true. If you want, test the recipe with cheap, off-brand tomatoes vs a high-quality Italian canned tomato. The Italian sauce always comes out without the acidic edge using everything else equally!
One more tip: add the seasoning at the end… If the seasonings are added at the beginning, during the simmering stage, they can open up too much (particularly the red pepper flakes), making an unbalanced sauce. Add the seasonings toward the end of the cooking to ensure a well-balanced spaghetti sauce.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Use jarred, minced garlic. It saves a bit of time.
- Chop the tomatoes with a wooden spoon in the pan as they heat. It saves time chopping them on a board and cleaning them up!
What to Serve with Homemade Tomato Sauce?
A sauce this good deserves to shine in as many recipes as possible. Whether you're craving something classic or looking to shake things up a bit, here are some killer pairings where this luscious recipe for tomato sauce shines:
- Keto Eggplant Lasagna: This fresh sauce is practically begging to be layered between slices of tender eggplant and gooey cheese in our keto eggplant lasagna recipe. Trust us; the melding flavors will have you loving the concept of leftovers for lunch!
- Keto Cheesy Breadsticks: Got some of those keto cheesy breadsticks on hand? This simple homemade tomato sauce turns into an irresistible dipping sauce that's a match made in heaven with that cheesy goodness.
- Low-Carb Meatball Recipe: Last but not least, let's talk meatballs. Our low-carb meatball recipe is just begging to be simmered in this sauce. It’s a classic combo that, quite frankly, never gets old.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating This Homemade Sauce
So you've made this best tomato sauce recipe, and it's so good you're considering saving some for another culinary adventure—smart move! Let's dive into how to properly store, freeze, and reheat it.
Storage
Once the sauce has cooled down a bit—it usually takes about 30-45 minutes—transfer it to an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. Tomato sauce recipes keep well for up to a week. This gives you ample time to plot out those future Italian feasts!
Freezing
Got more sauce than immediate plans? No worries! Portion it into Ziploc bags or freezer-safe containers and chuck it into the freezer. It should hold up nicely for up to three months. Remember to leave a little room in the container for expansion as the sauce freezes. This is particularly important for plastic containers as they may break in the freezer without any headspace.
Reheating
The best way to reheat your frozen sauce is a little advanced planning. Just move it from the freezer to the fridge the night before to thaw. Reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If you store it in the fridge, a brief stint on the stovetop will get it back to its warm, comforting self.
Recipe Conclusion
Finally, the best Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe is ready to enjoy! This simple, low-carb, and keto-friendly sauce brings out the best in your cooking with its rich flavors and fresh ingredients. Whether you're pairing it with pasta, using it as a pizza base, or just enjoying it on its own, this sauce is sure to become a kitchen staple.
So, roll up your sleeves and give this recipe a try! Feel the satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch and let the aromas fill your home. Don't forget to share your cooking adventures with friends and family—they’ll love it as much as you do. Dive into the joy of homemade cooking and see just how easy and rewarding it can be! Please write in the comments any questions or suggestions you may have. You can also find us on Facebook or Instagram.
More Sauce Recipes
Sauces are essential for me, especially when I'm serving roasted or grilled meats, or delightful appetizers. Over time, I've crafted numerous sauces that you can explore and enjoy as well:
FAQs
San Marzano tomatoes are considered the best for homemade tomato sauce.
Peeling tomatoes is optional when making tomato sauce; it depends on your preference.
The secret to good tomato sauce lies in using high-quality ingredients and seasoning it towards the end of cooking for balanced flavors.
Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pound can of tomatoes preferably San Marzano
- 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small white onion finely diced
- handful of fresh basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- salt to taste
- optional: red pepper flakes
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Finely dice onion.
- Mince garlic cloves.
- Have your torn basil leaves ready to go
Cooking Instructions
- Prep your ingredients: Dice onions, mince garlic, and gather the basil leaves.
- Sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add diced onion, cooking until soft and translucent (~5 minutes).
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for two minutes. Lower the heat to low.
- Tomatoes in: Add the tomatoes and juices from the can to the pan. Use a wooden or slotted spoon to break them down.
- Season: Add salt to taste.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
- Immersion blend: Toss in the basil leaves (or dried oregano) and carefully use the immersion blender.
- Taste and adjust: Adjust the salt and add the red pepper flakes if using.
- Enjoy: Voilà! You've got yourself an Italian tomato sauce that not only tastes amazing right off the stove, but even better the next day when those flavors have had time to get to know each other even better.
Notes
- Choosing Tomatoes
- Why add seasonings at the end
- Ingredient substitutions
- Storage instructions
- Serving suggestions
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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