I’m one of those people who can’t eat this or that, so homemade is often my thing.
While tomato sauce is something I can probably do store-bought (last I checked), I love the customization, texture, and kitchen aromas that comes with making my own. There’s just something special about it.
Plus, with the right recipe, it’s a cinch.
I once searched high and low for that recipe. I experimented and made my own when all I could find were “no cook” options (most no-bake, no-cook recipes are just horrible, by the way).
Then I found this.
It’s the one I’ve been searching for all along. It’s light, minimal, and much like the ones I’ve enjoyed in Italian restaurants or my husband’s Nonna’s kitchen. Not only does this recipe use affordable ingredients you may have in your pantry, it only takes 25 minutes or less from start to finish.
All you need to make it is:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (you can use garlic powder as well)
- 1 can whole tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 5 leaves fresh basil chopped (I use a teaspoon of dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- black pepper
- hot pepper flakes
This is now my go-to recipe for a simple tomato sauce. It cooks in the background while I make the pasta and put together a salad. It also freezes well if you have leftover sauce or decide you like it and want to batch cook later. You can get a smooth sauce following the author’s directions, but if you’re like my husband and you don’t want any tomato pieces hanging around, go ahead and blend it once it’s ready—just keep in mind it’s hot.
Here’s the link from An Italian in My Kitchen (one of my favourites), where you’ll find detailed instructions, helpful tips, and many more tasty Italian recipes.
Check out more simple meal ideas and home-life tips here at Somewhat Minimalist.