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4.9 from 42 votes

Tomato basil sauce

This basic tomato basil sauce recipe is made using fresh or canned tomatoes, fresh basil, onions, garlic, and olive oil. This traditional red sauce can be served with pasta dishes, or used as a base for pizza, meat or seafood sauces, or dishes like lasagna.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil can also use butter
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed add more if you're a garlic lover
  • 2 lbs fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced - or 28 ounces of canned tomatoes, can be whole, diced or crushed
  • 1 tbsp sugar optional
  • fresh basil to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the olive oil or butter in a medium sized sauce pan.
  2. Add the diced onion and crushed garlic, cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the tomatoes and bring to the sauce to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and add the basil - some can be chopped, but you can also add the stalks (they add flavor) and remove the stalks when the sauce is done. Add the sugar if using, you can also add the salt and pepper.
  5. Cook the sauce over low heat for at least 30 minutes. Stir the sauce frequently with a wooden spoon and use the spoon to press and help breakdown the chunky tomato pieces.
  6. For a smoother sauce you can use a hand held blender to break down the tomatoes if using whole or diced tomatoes. If you let the sauce cook for longer the tomatoes will naturally break down, or if you prefer a more chunky consistency you can skip the blender step.
  7. Once the consistency suits your preference, the sauce is done and ready to use. For an extra taste of freshness you can add some freshly chopped basil when serving the sauce.