How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce from Scratch

Tomato sauce is a staple ingredient in many households all over the world, used as a base for a variety of dishes including pasta, pizza, stews and more. Although it’s easy to purchase ready-made tomato sauce from the store, making your own sauce from fresh tomatoes is not only cost-effective but also guaranteed to be healthier and fresher. In this article, I will show you how to make tomato sauce from scratch in a few simple steps.

To start, you will need to get your hands on some fresh, ripe tomatoes. The choice of tomatoes is entirely up to you – some prefer to use roma tomatoes, while others opt for beefsteak or even cherry tomatoes. Once you have your tomatoes, it’s time to start cooking. Making tomato sauce from scratch does require some time and patience, but the results are well worth it. So, grab your apron, turn on some music and let’s get started.

How to Make Tomato Sauce from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

After learning the basics of tomato sauce and why it’s essential to cook it from scratch, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of making the perfect tomato sauce from scratch. Whether you’re planning on using it as a base for pizza, pasta, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite appetizers, follow these easy steps for a homemade tomato sauce that will blow your mind!

Choosing Your Tomatoes

The first step in making your tomato sauce is choosing the right type of tomatoes. San Marzano, Roma, and heirloom tomatoes are some of the best options to make tomato sauce because of their meaty texture, low water content, and rich flavor.

Preparing Your Tomatoes

After choosing the best tomatoes, you need to prepare them for your sauce. Wash the tomatoes and remove the stem, then cut them in half and remove the seed pulp. This will prevent your sauce from being too watery and help it thicken faster.

Sautéing Your Onion and Garlic

The secret to delicious tomato sauce is not only in the tomatoes. Adding some sautéed onions and garlic enhances the flavor of your sauce. Dice your onion and sauté it in olive oil until it turns translucent, then add minced garlic and sauté for additional 30 seconds.

Adding Tomatoes to the Pot

Once your onions and garlic are sautéed, it’s time to add your tomatoes. Place your tomatoes in the pot and crush them using a spoon or potato masher. Give them a quick stir, cover the pot, and let them cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes.

Seasoning Your Sauce

After your tomatoes break down, it’s time to season your sauce. Add salt, pepper, oregano, basil, or any other herbs and spices you’d like to use. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, so always taste as you go.

Blending Your Tomato Sauce

You can leave your tomato sauce chunky, or you can blend it for a smoother consistency. If you prefer a smoother texture, use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend it until smooth.

Reducing and Thickening Your Sauce

If your sauce is too watery, you can simmer it on low heat until it thickens to your desired consistency. This will take about 20-30 minutes, so be patient.

Adding Parmesan Cheese

Adding freshly grated parmesan cheese to your tomato sauce will make it even more flavorful. Add as much or as little as you’d like, and let it melt into the sauce.

Storing Your Tomato Sauce

If you’re not using your tomato sauce right away, let it cool before transferring it to a container. You can store it in the fridge for up to five days or freeze it for up to three months.

Enjoy Your Homemade Tomato Sauce

Now that you’ve learned how to make tomato sauce from scratch, it’s time to enjoy it! Use it as a base for your favorite pizza or pasta dish, as a dipping sauce for your favorite appetizers, or even as a condiment for your burgers or sandwiches. The possibilities are endless!

Choosing the Best Tomatoes

When it comes to making tomato sauce from scratch, the type of tomatoes you choose can make a big difference in the flavor and texture of your sauce. You have a wide variety of options when it comes to selecting the perfect tomatoes for your sauce. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Ripe Tomatoes are Key

When making tomato sauce, it’s important to use ripe tomatoes. Under-ripe tomatoes are sour and lack the sweet flavor that is key to a good sauce. Over-ripe tomatoes can be mushy and may not hold up well during cooking. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes that have a deep color and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed.

2. Use Fresh Tomatoes

Fresh, local tomatoes are the best choice for making tomato sauce from scratch. Farmers markets are a great place to find locally grown tomatoes that are at peak ripeness. If fresh tomatoes are not available, canned tomatoes can be used as a substitute.

3. Choose the Right Type of Tomato

There are many different varieties of tomatoes to choose from, each with its own flavor and texture. Some of the most popular varieties for making tomato sauce include San Marzano, Roma, and Plum tomatoes. These varieties are meatier and less watery than other types of tomatoes.

4. Consider the Texture of Your Sauce

If you prefer a smooth tomato sauce, choose a variety of tomatoes that is less seedy and has less pulp. If you prefer a chunky sauce with more texture, choose a variety of tomatoes that has more pulp and seeds.

5. Experiment with Different Varieties

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties of tomatoes when making tomato sauce. Each variety has a unique flavor and texture that can add depth and complexity to your sauce.

6. Organic is Always a Good Choice

When making tomato sauce from scratch, it’s always a good idea to choose organic tomatoes. Organic tomatoes are grown without the use of harmful pesticides or chemicals, which can affect the taste and quality of your sauce.

7. Avoid Tomatoes with Blemishes or Bruises

When selecting your tomatoes, avoid those with blemishes or bruises. These can be signs of rot or mold and can spoil your sauce.

8. Size Matters

When making tomato sauce, the size of your tomatoes matters. Smaller tomatoes tend to have a sweeter flavor and are perfect for sauces that require a lot of tomato flavor. Larger tomatoes are great for chunky sauces and recipes that call for diced tomatoes.

9. Grow Your Own Tomatoes

One of the best ways to ensure that you have the best tomatoes for your sauce is to grow your own. Homegrown tomatoes are often sweeter and more flavorful than store-bought varieties.

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match

Finally, don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of tomatoes when making tomato sauce. Combining heirloom varieties with more traditional varieties can create a unique and delicious flavor that you won’t find in store-bought sauce.

Ingredients for Making Tomato Sauce

Before you begin your tomato sauce journey, you need to gather all the ingredients you will need. Here are some of the essential ingredients for making tomato sauce.

Preparing the Tomatoes

The first step is to prepare the tomatoes. To do this, rinse the tomatoes in cold water and remove the stems. Cut an “X” into the bottom of each tomato and drop them into boiling water for about 30 seconds or until the skin starts to peel. After that, transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of ice water and let them cool. Once they have cooled down, peel off the skin and remove the seeds.

Sautéing Onion and Garlic

The next step is to sauté the onion and garlic. Peel and dice the onion and garlic cloves and heat up the olive oil in a large pot. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Adding Tomatoes and Salting

Next, add the peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes to the pot. Stir the mixture and let it cook for about 5 minutes. After that, add salt to taste. Depending on your preference, you can add more or less salt.

Simmering and Blending the Sauce

Now is the time to simmer the sauce and let it cook for 30-40 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. After that, remove the pot from heat and let the sauce cool for a bit. Blend the sauce in a blender or use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency.

Voila! You now have a homemade tomato sauce that’s ready to be used for your pasta, pizza, or any other dish that requires a delicious tomato sauce. You can even freeze your tomato sauce and use it at a later time.

Enjoy Your Fresh Tomato Sauce!

Now that you’ve learned how to make tomato sauce from scratch, it’s time to get cooking! Remember, homemade tomato sauce is so versatile and can be used in many different recipes. Plus, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought sauce. Thanks for reading, and make sure to come back for more delicious recipes and tips. Happy cooking!