Description
Homemade “Summer Harvest Tomato Pasta Sauce” brings Italian countryside charm directly to kitchen tables. Ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and smooth olive oil create a simple yet elegant sauce perfect for weekend dinners with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can (28 ounces/800 grams) crushed tomatoes (or whole peeled tomatoes, blended)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable or chicken broth (or water)
Aromatics and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh basil)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Optional Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for richness)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by gently warming olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and softened, releasing their sweet essence.
- Incorporate minced garlic into the softened onions, stirring quickly to prevent burning and allowing the pungent aroma to permeate the oil.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the fragrant mixture, creating a vibrant foundation for the sauce. Blend in tomato paste to intensify the depth and richness of the tomato flavor.
- Elevate the sauce’s complexity by adding a delicate balance of seasonings: a whisper of sugar to counteract acidity, salt and pepper for fundamental seasoning, dried oregano and basil for herbaceous notes, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
- Introduce a splash of broth or water to achieve the desired consistency, then allow the sauce to gently simmer. Let the ingredients meld and concentrate, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and promote even cooking.
- Finish the sauce with a luxurious pat of butter, stirring until fully incorporated. This final touch adds a silky smoothness and rounds out the flavor profile.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory elements. The sauce is now ready to complement pasta, enhance pizza, or serve as a versatile dipping companion.
Notes
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
- Enhance the sauce’s complexity by adding a splash of red wine during the simmering stage for deeper, more robust flavors.
- Transform the sauce into a vegetarian or vegan version by replacing butter with olive oil and adding nutritional yeast for extra richness.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or incorporating fresh chili peppers for a personalized spice profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg