Basic Tomato Pasta Sauce
Basic Tomato Pasta Sauce is always in our fridge. I make a batch most weeks and it always is used up! The tomato pasta sauce on our supermarket shelves has so many added ingredients in them. When I started looking at how much sugar, salt and ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce were in the jars, then I started making my own.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 (28-ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper seasoning
Method:
Prepare the ingredients.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the onion and cook until tender. This takes approximately 7 minutes. Don’t rush it as we don’t want them burnt!.
Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir.
Taste and add seasoning if you desire.
Reduce the heat to a low, and simmer uncovered for approximately 10 to 20 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken.
Taste again and adjust herbs, spices and seasonings as you require.
Additional Notes:
Store in the fridge or freezer in clean labelled jars.
If you would like a thinner sauce then simply leave out the tomato paste.
Adjust the herbs, spices and garlic to suit you. I often will use celery in my recipes instead of onion.
If you find the tomato too acidic when you taste it then you could add some grated carrots. They add sweetness without any need for sugar in the sauce.
Use in recipes with meat or fish of your choice.
Add cajun spice or chillis for a spicy hit.
Add vegetables and perhaps more water for a simple tasty dinner served with pasta.
Freezing Notes:
Leftover sauce can be store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Equipment Used:
Frying Pan
Scales
Measuring Spoons
Mixing Bowl
Chopping Board
Knife
Peeler.
Recipe courtesy of Save Money, Freeze Food.