Italian Tomato Sauce Frugal Gourmet

Transform your pasta night with the rich, homemade flavors of the Italian Tomato Sauce Frugal Gourmet. This budget-friendly recipe combines pantry staples like canned whole peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, and a medley of dried herbs—oregano, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes—for a perfectly balanced sauce that's both hearty and aromatic. Sautéed onions and garlic infuse the base with depth, while a touch of sugar harmonizes the acidity of the tomatoes. Ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile sauce is ideal for your favorite pasta dishes, pizza bases, or even as a dipping sauce. Plus, it's freezer-friendly for easy meal prep. With its simple ingredients and classic Italian taste, this sauce proves that gourmet doesn’t have to break the bank.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Step 4

Pour the canned whole peeled tomatoes into a large mixing bowl and crush them gently with your hands or a spoon to break them down.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan.

Step 6

Stir the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan partially, and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed (add more salt, pepper, or sugar to balance the flavor).

Step 9

Serve immediately over pasta, use as a base for pizza, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The sauce also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Step 10

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(992.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	564.8

Total Fat 30.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3379.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 46.2g
Protein 10.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 221.3mg	0%
Iron 7.5mg	0%
Potassium 1929.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.9%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 48.2%