Leena Watts
Making homemade tomato sauce is a great way to use up fresh tomatoes, especially during the late summer when they are in season. It is a simple, flavorful recipe that can be served with pasta, pizza, or even used as a dipping sauce. The process involves roasting halved tomatoes and garlic cloves in the oven, making a caramelized onion base, and then combining all the ingredients to simmer. The sauce can be customized to be super creamy or a little cheesy, and it is perfect for those who want to reduce their sodium intake and control the added sugar in their diet. By making your own tomato sauce, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy meal while also preserving the bounty of your garden or farmer's market finds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onions, shallots, olive oil, oregano, basil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, lemon juice, citric acid |
| Equipment | Large pot, food processor, strainer or food mill, baking sheet, freezer-safe container, oven, stovetop, crockpot |
| Process | Boil tomatoes, process onions and garlic, strain tomatoes, cook sauce, store in airtight container in fridge or freezer |
| Time | Making the sauce takes about an hour; it can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months |
| Customization | Can be made super creamy and cheesy; can be made low-sodium, low-sugar, and without additives; can add meat, stock, flour, butter, or carrots |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the tomatoes
Once the tomatoes are cleaned, you'll need to remove the stems. You can do this by gently twisting and pulling the stems with your fingers or using a small knife to cut them away. After removing the stems, cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise. This will expose the seeds and make them easier to remove.
The next step is to scoop out the seeds with a small spoon or your fingers. Be careful to remove all the seeds, as they can add bitterness to the sauce. You may also choose to remove the tomato skins at this point, as some people prefer a smoother sauce without the skins. The skins can be peeled away with a vegetable peeler or carefully removed with your fingers.
After the tomatoes are halved, seeded, and peeled (if desired), they need to be boiled to soften them and remove the skins easily. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully add the tomatoes. The water will stop boiling, but once it returns to a gentle boil, drain the tomatoes immediately. Be careful not to overcook them, as this can affect the texture and taste of your sauce.
Place the drained tomatoes in a bowl of ice water to cool them down quickly and stop the cooking process. Once they are cool enough to handle, use your fingers or a small knife to slip off the skins. They should come off quite easily at this point. If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a small knife to help loosen them.
Now you have prepared tomatoes ready for the next steps of your homemade tomato sauce!
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Cooking the sauce
To make your sauce even silkier, add olive oil, which is also a great source of antioxidants and monounsaturated fatty acids. Use an immersion blender to mix the sauce, or you can use an ordinary blender or food processor. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until you reach your desired thickness.
You can serve the sauce immediately, or store it in the fridge for later. It can also be frozen and will keep for a couple of months. This recipe makes approximately eight cups of sauce, but you can easily double or triple the amount.
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Storing the sauce
For longer-term storage, freezing is an excellent option. You can freeze the sauce in airtight containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. Alternatively, you can use ice cube trays to freeze individual portions, which is handy for quick use when you need a small amount to add flavour to a dish. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen sauce will maintain its quality for about three months.
Another method for long-term storage is canning. This process involves sterilizing jars and lids, filling them with your sauce, and then processing them in a boiling water bath for a specified period of time. This method creates a vacuum seal, preserving your sauce for up to a year if stored in a cool, dark place. It's important to follow canning instructions carefully to ensure the safety of your stored food.
Lastly, you can also consider dehydrating your tomato sauce, which will give you a product similar to sundried tomatoes. Spread your sauce thinly on dehydrator trays and dry at an appropriate temperature for several hours until fully dried. You can then store the dried sauce in jars or containers and use it by rehydrating it or adding it directly to your dishes for a burst of flavour.
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Serving suggestions
This homemade tomato sauce is so versatile and can be used in a multitude of dishes.
For a classic option, toss the sauce with pasta and top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese. You can also use it as a pizza sauce, or as a base for chicken curry in a hurry. It works well as a dipping sauce too, for cheesy garlic knots, air-fried ravioli, or chicken sausages.
For a healthier option, combine cooked chickpeas and cooked pasta, such as wholewheat or quinoa-based pasta, and serve with the tomato sauce and a side salad.
If you're after a low-carb option, try zucchini lasagna or pizza zucchini boats, using the sauce as a base.
For a simple, summery option, spread the sauce on homemade pizza or spoon it over breaded eggplant.
If you're feeling creative, there's room to add your favourite ingredients to the sauce and create your own variations.
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Health benefits
Tomatoes are an incredibly healthy fruit with a range of health benefits. Making your own tomato sauce at home is a great way to access these benefits, as you can ensure that your sauce is fresh and free of additives and preservatives.
Tomato sauce is a tasty condiment that is much lower in fat compared to mayonnaise or salad dressings. It is also a good source of fibre, which aids digestion and helps to keep you regular. Fibre can also help to control blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.
Tomatoes are a rich and natural source of lycopene, an antioxidant that gives them their red colour. Lycopene can help to reduce heart disease by reducing "bad" cholesterol levels and promoting "good" cholesterol levels. It also acts as an antioxidant, reducing free-radical damage to the body's tissues. In one ten-year study, people with lycopene-rich diets had a 17-26% lower risk of heart disease.
Tomatoes are also highly nutritious, containing vitamins A, C, K, B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, and minerals such as potassium, folate, iron, magnesium, chromium, choline, zinc, and phosphorus. Vitamin C helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy, aids wound healing, metabolises fats, and absorbs other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A improves vision and prevents night blindness and macular degeneration.
Tomato sauce can also have a positive effect on your gut health. Tomatoes have probiotic properties, helping to improve good gut bacteria, which in turn improves intestinal, oral, and general health.
Finally, tomatoes can help to prevent cancer. Lycopene, a phytochemical compound that tomatoes are rich in, acts as an antioxidant that protects the body's tissues from damage and free radicals. Tomatoes can help to prevent or reduce several cancers, including prostate, cervical, mouth, pharynx, throat, stomach, oesophageal, rectal, colon, and ovarian cancers.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and basil. You can also add onions, oregano, and balsamic vinegar.
First, slice the tomatoes in half and scoop out the seeds. Grate the tomato flesh into a bowl, leaving the skins behind. Heat olive oil in a pot over low heat. Add the garlic, shallot, salt, and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, sugar, oregano, red pepper flakes, and basil. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Homemade tomato sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Homemade tomato sauce is a versatile condiment. It can be served with pasta, pizza, polenta, or used as a dipping sauce. It is also a great way to add flavour to chicken curry or naan pizzas.
