If you’re looking for an easy and delicious spaghetti sauce recipe using fresh tomatoes, here’s my favorite way to make a thick sauce, using delectable ingredients like; aromatic Italian spices, seasonal sweet tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
I love cooking this homemade spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes when (extended) family and friends come over. It’s amazing paired with this strawberry caprese salad too. This pasta dish can feed an army – like really. I like to start a batch early in the morning or even the day before, throw it all together and then forget about letting it simmer low and slow all day. It’s a total joy because my home slowly begins to fill with the sweet aroma of stewing tomatoes throughout the day.
This specific recipe has been a part of my family for generations and has been passed down from my mother-in-law to me. It was given to her by her grandmother as well. So you know it’s good!
Trust me it’s a must-have during tomato season. The savory sauce is much like a homemade marinara sauce – but better. I like to make a big batch and let it sit overnight before serving. Somehow it’s even better the next day. It feeds us all week – which is great on a budget and my time. What’s not to love?
Simple ingredients to make a spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes
- 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes, diced (can throw in cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes as well)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (optional)
- 1 bunch of fresh herbs (optional)
- 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese to garnish (optional)
- 1 dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 tablespoons of sugar (optional)
- 1 squeeze of lemon (optional)
How to make a spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes – Step by Step
- To being the cooking process of this delicious homemade pasta sauce…
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. If you are making a larger batch double everything and prepare in a large pot.
- Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir.
- Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste.
- If you want a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the sauce.
- If the sauce is too acidic, add a tablespoon of sugar to balance the flavors. The added sugar is the secret ingredient!
- Bring the sauce to a simmer on medium-low heat and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If you would like a little bit of heat in your easy homemade spaghetti sauce add your dash of chili flakes now. A squeeze of lemon helps balance this out as well. Both are optional!
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. I always do black pepper and a little salt to taste
- Serve the homemade sauce over al dente hot cooked pasta. I like to use cooked spaghetti noodles.
Tips to get this easy recipe for a spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes just right:
- If you want a smooth sauce, the easiest way to achieve this is to blend the cooked tomatoes in an immersion blender, or food processor before adding it to the skillet. A regular blender will work too!
- You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce to give it more depth of flavor.
- If you’re using very juicy tomatoes, you may not need to add any liquid to the sauce. However, if the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water or chicken broth to thin it out.
- be sure to use whole ripe tomatoes and remove the skins.
Here are some tips for storing your leftover spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes:
Leftover spaghetti sauce can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If you plan to use it within a few days, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Please note that an opened jarred pasta sauce can be stored safely in the refrigerator for five to seven days before being used. Make sure the sauce is completely cooled before storing it, and leave enough room in the container for the sauce to expand if you’re using a freezer-safe container. If you plan to freeze the sauce, divide it into smaller portions so that you can thaw only what you need. Taste of Home recommends using freezer bags or airtight containers for storing spaghetti sauce in the freezer.
Steps for Your Storing a Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes
- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
- Divide it into smaller portions and store in freezer bags or airtight containers in the freezer for up to three months.
- Label each container with your homemade spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes with a date so you know when it was made.
- Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave on low power.
- Reheat the sauce in a pot on the stove over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally.
Fill leftover sauce to the top of the jar in an airtight container, pint jars, or mason jar for later use. The good thing about this red sauce is that it tastes better the next day! Or if you are in the moodier a different pasta adventure consider my recipe for a super quick and delicious baked feta pasta – that on ly takes 15 minutes to prep.
If you are looking to make a large batch of homemade spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes, you can it for much later. I do this in the summer. Below are are a few easy steps to get it just right. I love caning sauce because it stretches your summer tomatoes and vegetables so they can last all year long.
Caning Your Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes Recipe Step by Step:
- Ladle the hot spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. I prefer Mason jars with lids both for their storing strength and aesthetic.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth, and place the lids and bands on the jars.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes for pint jars or 40 minutes for quart jars.
- Remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool on a towel-lined countertop.
- Check the seals on the jars after they have cooled. The lids should be concave and not move when pressed.
- Note: This recipe yields approximately 7-9 pint jars or 3-4 quart jars of spaghetti sauce.
Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pds fresh tomatoes, diced Can throw in cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes
- 2 tbps olive oil
- 1 whole onion, diced red or white
- 3 whole garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bunch fresh basil diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 3 tbsp sugar (optional)
- bunch of fresh herbs (optional) Rosemary, oregano, thyme
- 3 tbsp parmesan cheese to garnish (optional)
- 1 dash red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 squeeze lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- To being the cooking process of this delicious homemade pasta sauce…
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. If you are making a larger batch double everything and prepare in a large pot.
- Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir.
- Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste.
- If you want a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the sauce.
- If the sauce is too acidic, add a tablespoon of sugar to balance the flavors. The added sugar is the secret ingredient!
- Bring the sauce to a simmer on medium-low heat and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If you would like a little bit of heat in your easy homemade spaghetti sauce add your dash of chili flakes now. A squeeze of lemon helps balance this out as well. Both are optional!
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. I always do black pepper and a little salt to taste
- Serve the homemade sauce over al dente hot cooked pasta. I like to use cooked spaghetti noodles.
Here are some commonly asked questions about how to make a spaghetti sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes:
What type of tomatoes should I use for tomato sauce?
San Marzano tomatoes are often recommended for making tomato sauce because they have a sweet flavor and are less acidic than other varieties. However, you can also use Roma, plum, or any other type of tomato that is ripe and flavorful.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes before making the sauce?
It’s up to you. If you don’t mind the texture of tomato skins in your sauce, you can leave them on. However, if you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath to cool. The skins should then slip off easily.
Should I remove the seeds from the tomatoes?
Again, this is a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can remove the seeds by cutting the tomatoes in half and scooping out the seeds with a spoon. However, if you don’t mind the texture, you can leave them in.
How long should I cook the sauce?
This depends on the recipe and your personal preference. Some tomato sauce recipes call for a quick simmer of 20-30 minutes, while others may simmer for several hours to develop a deeper flavor. Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Can I add other ingredients to the sauce?
Yes! Tomato sauce is a versatile base that can be customized to your liking. You can add onions, garlic, herbs, spices, vegetables, or meat to the sauce to give it more flavor and texture.
How should I store leftover tomato sauce?
Leftover tomato sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months. Divide the sauce into smaller portions so that you can thaw only what you need.
