Hearty Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce
This Hearty Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce brings the taste of fresh, garden-sourced ingredients straight to your kitchen. Bursting with the vibrant flavors of ripe homegrown tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and savory peppers, this sauce is a true delight. Perfect for preparing in large batches, its robust nature makes it an excellent addition to various dishes like spaghetti, lasagna, or even as a base for stews. Freeze leftovers to savor the essence of summer during those colder months when fresh produce is hard to come by. Remember, cooking is all about personal touches, so feel free to adjust the garlic and seasoning to match your preferences!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons (none)
Medium onion
1 (chopped)
Green onions
5 (chopped)
Garlic cloves
2-3 (chopped)
Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon (none)
Pizza seasoning
1 tablespoon (none)
Basil
1 teaspoon (dried)
Medium tomatoes
8-10 (peeled and quartered)
Banana pepper
1-2 (chopped)
Tomato paste
1 (5 ounce) can (none)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the tomatoes. Place fresh homegrown tomatoes in a large pot, cover them with water, and bring to a boil. Boil for approximately 5 minutes to loosen the skins, then remove from heat and transfer the tomatoes into an ice bath to cool. Once cooled, peel off the skins and cut the tomatoes into quarters, removing the stem area.
2
In the same pot used for boiling the tomatoes, return to the stove over medium heat. Heat the extra virgin olive oil, then add the chopped medium onion, green onions, garlic, and chopped banana peppers. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the onions and peppers are translucent and fragrant.
3
In a food processor, blend the peeled tomatoes into a smooth puree. Pour the tomato puree into the sautéed onions and peppers, stirring to combine. Reduce the heat to a low simmer.
4
Stir in the tomato paste for added thickness, then add the Italian seasoning, pizza seasoning, basil, sugar, salt, and ground pepper. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5
Once done, your hearty tomato sauce is ready! Serve it hot over spaghetti noodles, use it in lasagna, or store it in the freezer for future meals.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce?
It is a robust, garden-sourced sauce featuring ripe homegrown tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and savory peppers, perfect for large batches.
What are the primary ingredients for this sauce?
The main ingredients include medium tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions, green onions, garlic cloves, banana peppers, and tomato paste.
How do I prepare the tomatoes for the sauce?
Boil the tomatoes for 5 minutes to loosen the skins, transfer them to an ice bath to cool, then peel and quarter them, removing the stem area.
How long should the tomatoes be boiled?
You should boil the fresh tomatoes for approximately 5 minutes.
Why is an ice bath used in this recipe?
The ice bath is used to quickly cool the boiled tomatoes so that the skins can be easily peeled off by hand.
What type of oil is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
What types of onions are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one chopped medium onion and five chopped green onions.
How much garlic is required?
You should use 2-3 chopped garlic cloves, though you can adjust this based on your personal preference.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, green onions, garlic, and banana peppers for about 5-7 minutes.
How do I know when the sautéed vegetables are ready?
They are ready when they become translucent and fragrant.
How do I achieve a smooth sauce texture?
Use a food processor to blend the peeled and quartered tomatoes into a smooth puree before adding them to the pot.
What is the purpose of adding tomato paste?
Tomato paste is added to provide additional thickness to the sauce.
What seasonings are included in this sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with Italian seasoning, pizza seasoning, dried basil, sugar, salt, and ground pepper.
Why is sugar added to the tomato sauce?
A small amount of sugar is added to help balance the acidity of the fresh tomatoes.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for approximately 2 hours.
Why should I stir the sauce occasionally while it simmers?
Stirring occasionally prevents the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.
Can I adjust the seasonings in this recipe?
Yes, you are encouraged to adjust the garlic and other seasonings to match your own personal taste preferences.
What are the best ways to serve this sauce?
It is excellent served hot over spaghetti noodles, used in lasagna, or as a base for stews.
Is this sauce freezer-friendly?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers to enjoy the flavors of summer during the colder months.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly vegetable sauce.
How many tomatoes do I need for this recipe?
You will need between 8 and 10 medium-sized tomatoes.
What kind of peppers are used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1-2 chopped banana peppers.
How much Italian seasoning is used?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
How much pizza seasoning is used?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of pizza seasoning.
How much dried basil is needed?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dried basil.
What size can of tomato paste should I buy?
You will need one 5-ounce can of tomato paste.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper, but both should be adjusted to taste.
Can this sauce be made in large batches?
Yes, the recipe is specifically noted as being perfect for preparing in large batches.
What makes this sauce 'hearty'?
The combination of fresh tomato puree, thick tomato paste, and a variety of sautéed vegetables and seasonings gives it a robust and hearty texture.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried basil?
The ingredient list specifies using 1 teaspoon of dried basil.