Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce

If you usually buy your tomato sauce at the store because you think it’s too much of a hassle to make at home, you NEED this recipe! There’s no need to purchase store bought tomato sauce these days because with this simple recipe you can whip up your own Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce in a matter of minutes. As you know, when you’re living an on-the-go Champagne Nutrition lifestyle, things need to be simple.

I find that the quality varieties are unnecessarily expensive and are now running upwards of $10 here in Seattle stores. If you opt for the cheaper versions you can get stuck with a recipe that has fillers like corn syrup, a lot of added sugar, sodium and preservatives. That’s why I created this super simple homemade tomato sauce for you to create using on-hand ingredients. You can make this sauce quickly while you’re boiling pasta or assembling other dishes. Better yet, get a child, a partner or a friend to help you out as you cook together!

Simple Ingredients

This quick and easy Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce can be made with seven ingredients that I bet you have in your pantry right now. Since we’re often making tomato sauce for those fall and winter comfort food recipes, I like to use canned tomato products and dried herbs and spices. If you have fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs, please feel free to use them. I’m always into using fresh ingredients when they are local and in season to get the best flavor and nutrition. If you’re someone who cans their own tomatoes in the summertime those would be perfect too.

Sometimes I have clients tell me they’re worried about using “processed” foods that are canned or frozen, but listen, I’m here to tell you that it’s fine. Studies show again and again that foods processed in these ways maintain their nutrition and are just as healthy for you as fresh fruits and veggies. This makes them a great option to have on hand when things are out of season or you just don’t want to make a trip to the grocery store. Another bonus is that they are usually a cheaper option and you don’t have to worry about your produce going bad too quickly. 

What questions do you have about eating canned or frozen foods? I’d love to chat about how they can be a healthful and convenient addition to your life! Make sure to hit me up here at Champagne Nutrition so we can talk more.

Freezing Sauces

One nice thing about recipes like this one is that it freezes well. So, if you want to save yourself even more time in the long run you can make a big batch and save the rest for later. Think of it as batch cooking and supporting your future-self for when you’re having a really busy night and you need something quick, easy and healthy. Just defrost it in the fridge when you’re ready to use it. That’s a serious meal prep win in my book. 

I also love to use my extra sauce as a gift for my friends and family. These kinds of recipes are so helpful to take to people who may be dealing with an illness, a change in their lives, or a new baby. I’m sure that they will be so grateful to receive something homemade and delivered that’s not pizza or a casserole.

Health Benefits of Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes are a unique fruit that we more often use as a vegetable. Tomatoes are absolutely packed with healthy nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, folate and a plethora of antioxidants. Tomatoes contain lycopene, beta-carotene, and naringenin. All of these antioxidants mean that tomatoes can help with heart health, skin health and as I mentioned before, they can help to reduce your risk of some cancers. 

When it comes to antioxidants, tomatoes are specifically a good source of lycopene. What’s interesting about lycopene is that it’s bioavailability is enhanced through heating. This means that lycopene from tomatoes will be more easily absorbed by your body after cooking. Because of this, my Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce is a great source of this cancer fighting antioxidant. 

Making The Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce

Adding Your Own Ingredients

Because there are only seven ingredients in this recipe, feel free to doctor this sauce up as you please. I love having a little bit of spice in my meals so I will often add crushed red peppers and black pepper to mine. If I need a source of protein in my meal I will sometimes add a crumbled up veggie burger or store bought protein crumbles for more of a bolognese feel. If you’re feeling some more veggies I recommend stirring in chopped mushrooms, diced bell pepper, and chopped spinach or arugula.

Finding The Right Consistency

I find that the desired consistency of tomato sauce is a personal preference. This is why I have added the note of setting aside about ½ -1 cup of water for your sauce. If you prefer a thicker, heartier sauce, add less. If you want a thinner, more pourable consistency, add more. It’s totally up to you. 

Freezing And Gifting

If you plan on freezing your sauce make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it into a freezer safe container. I suggest you label it with the date so you don’t forget how long it has been in there. I hate having to waste food that I find in the back of my freezer and have no idea when I made it. If you are going to give it as a gift right away it would look so cute in a mason jar and tied with a bow. You could even create your own label with the ingredients or a personal message. 

However you like to make it your own, I hope you and your family enjoy this Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce. 

If you need other simple sauce recipes, check out my Firecracker Garlic Sauce and my Homemade Enchilada Sauce.

Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce

You CAN make your own sauce at home from some simple on-hand ingredients. You can also adjust the flavor - spice? Herbs? No problem!

No ratings yet

Print Pin Rate

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sauce, simple recipe, tomato, tomato sauce, tomato sauce recipe, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Calories:

Author: Ginger Hultin

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ▢ 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
• ▢ 1 14.5 oz can diced tomato, juices included
• ▢ 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and onion; sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
• Add remaining ingredients and simmer, covered, over low heat for 20 minutes, adding water if needed for consistency (expect that 1/2-1 cup may be required). Add the salt 1/4 teaspoon at a time; taste to see if you should add more. Add black pepper and stir to combine.
• Serve immediately over spiralized zucchini, whole wheat or bean pasta or freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Notes

Add sliced mushrooms or chopped bell pepper to yellow onion, garlic, olive oil sautee if desired for extra veggies. Serve over spiralized zucchini, whole wheat or bean pasta. Makes great leftovers and freezes well, too.

Tried this recipe?Mention @champagnenutrition