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italian tomato sauce

(6 ratings)
Chez7695 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Sharon Antoniak
@Chez7695
Powell, OH

Whenever I make this family recipe tomato sauce, it reminds me of my grandma's kitchen when I was a young girl. We always went to grandma's for Sunday dinner and being Italian we always had pasta and meatballs. You can adjust the amount of herbs you add to the sauce to make it your own. The longer you cook it the better it gets. If the sauce gets too thick, you can always add a little water. Add half a cup of light cream and make a pink sauce. This is a favorite of my family and friends. I hope you enjoy it.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This sauce really hits the mark - with just the right amount of herbs and delectable, tomato-y kick. We served the sauce over a baked chicken breast for a killer improvised chicken Parmesan!

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(6 ratings)
yield 4 with Pasta
prep time 15 Min
cook time 2 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For italian tomato sauce

  • 3 lb
    ripe plum tomatoes, cored, peeled, and seeded; or 1 35 oz can peeled Italian plum tomatoes in puree. lightly crush, with their liquid
  • 6 oz
    tomato paste
  • 2 c
    water
  • 1/4 c
    extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 sm
    onion, chopped
  • 1 md
    carrot, grated
  • 2-3 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 2
    bay leaves
  • 10
    basil leaves, finely cut or 2 tsp dried
  • 6 sprig
    fresh parsley, chopped or 2 tsp dried
  • 1/2 tsp
    dried oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make italian tomato sauce

  • 1
    Crush tomatoes as fine as possible if they are whole.
  • 2
    In a medium to large saucepan pour olive oil and finely chopped onion and carrot; sauté until soft. Add minced garlic. Cook briefly and do not burn the garlic. Garlic turns bitter if over-browned.
  • 3
    Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste with 2 cups of water. Stir. Add remaining ingredients.
  • 4
    The sauce should simmer for at least 1 1/2 - 2 hours with the lid partially covering the pan. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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