Authentic Italian Tomato Basil Sauce
Elevate your pasta dishes with this Authentic Italian Tomato Basil Sauce, a classic recipe that captures the essence of Italian cooking. Bursting with the freshest flavors from ripe tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and freshly minced garlic, this sauce is perfect for topping your favorite pasta or serving as a dip for crusty bread. Slow-cooked to perfection, each serving of this sauce brings warmth and comfort, making it a must-have in your culinary repertoire. Ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prepping, you'll want to share this delicious sauce with everyone you know.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (None)
Onion, chopped
1 cup (Chopped)
Garlic cloves, minced
8 (Minced)
Sweet pepper
1 cup (Chopped)
Basil
2 tablespoons (Dried)
Oregano
2 tablespoons (Dried)
Bay leaves
2 (None)
Salt
2 teaspoons (None)
Dried chili
1 pinch (None)
Tomato puree
28 ounces (Canned)
Tomato paste
6 ounces (Canned)
Diced tomatoes
28 ounces (Canned or 2 cups fresh, chopped)
Fresh ground pepper
to taste (Ground)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Stir in the sweet pepper and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
3
Add the dried basil, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and a pinch of dried chili. Mix well and let the herbs infuse their flavors, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
4
Carefully stir in the tomato puree, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes (or fresh chopped tomatoes). Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
5
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully.
6
Once cooked, remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with fresh ground pepper to taste. Serve warm over pasta or store for later use.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Authentic Italian Tomato Basil Sauce.
Is this Italian Tomato Basil Sauce vegetarian?
Yes, this sauce is tagged as vegetarian and contains no meat products.
How many garlic cloves are used in the sauce?
This recipe calls for 8 minced garlic cloves.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes?
Yes, you can substitute the canned diced tomatoes with 2 cups of fresh, chopped tomatoes.
How much olive oil is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should be covered and simmered on low heat for 45 minutes.
What dried herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes dried basil, dried oregano, and bay leaves.
Does this sauce contain onions?
Yes, it includes 1 cup of chopped onion.
Is there a spicy component to this sauce?
Yes, a pinch of dried chili is added for a touch of heat.
What is the purpose of adding tomato paste?
6 ounces of tomato paste are added to enhance the flavor concentration and help thicken the sauce.
How much salt is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of salt.
Should the bay leaves be removed before serving?
Yes, once the sauce is cooked, you should remove the 2 bay leaves.
Can I use this recipe for meal prepping?
Yes, this sauce is ideal for meal prepping and can be stored for later use.
What can I serve with this tomato basil sauce?
It is perfect for topping pasta or serving as a dip for crusty bread.
Does the recipe include sweet peppers?
Yes, it uses 1 cup of chopped sweet pepper.
How long do I sauté the onion and garlic?
You should sauté the onion and garlic for about 5-7 minutes until the onion is translucent.
How much tomato puree is used?
The recipe uses 28 ounces of canned tomato puree.
When should I add the fresh ground pepper?
Fresh ground pepper should be added to taste once the sauce has finished simmering.
Is this sauce considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and provides warmth and comfort in every serving.
How many bay leaves are required?
The recipe requires 2 bay leaves.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is to heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic.
How long do I cook the sweet pepper?
Stir in the sweet pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
Do I need to stir the sauce while it simmers?
Yes, you should stir the sauce occasionally during the 45-minute simmering process.
What is the total amount of canned diced tomatoes needed?
You will need 28 ounces of canned diced tomatoes.
Is the sauce cooked on high or low heat?
After reaching a gentle simmer, the heat should be reduced to low for the remainder of the cooking time.
What type of skillet is recommended?
A large skillet is recommended to accommodate all the ingredients.
Are the herbs added before or after the tomatoes?
The herbs and spices are added and cooked for 2 minutes before stirring in the tomato products.
Does this recipe use fresh or dried basil?
The primary herb list specifies 2 tablespoons of dried basil.
Is the garlic minced or sliced?
The garlic should be freshly minced.
How much dried oregano is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of dried oregano.