Lesley's Tomato Basil Sauce
Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with Lesley’s Tomato Basil Sauce, a timeless recipe that combines simplicity with rich, homemade goodness. This quick and easy sauce features a perfect balance of tangy crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and sweet onions, elevated by the fresh, herbaceous notes of hand-chopped basil. Simmered to silky perfection with a touch of sugar, oregano, and thyme, this versatile sauce is ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals. Serve it over pasta, use it as a pizza base, or pair it with your favorite Italian-inspired dishes. Whether you enjoy it as is or add a sprinkle of parmesan for extra depth, this easy tomato basil sauce is sure to become your go-to recipe for authentic, homemade flavor.
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 15 leaves fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- 0.25 cups parmesan cheese (optional), grated
Directions
Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Step 2
Add the finely diced onion to the pan and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to let it burn.
Step 4
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Stir to combine.
Step 5
Sprinkle in the sugar, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 7
Once the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded, stir in the fresh chopped basil.
Step 8
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. For added richness, stir in the grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Step 9
Remove the pan from heat. Serve immediately over your favorite pasta or as a base for other dishes, or let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1110.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 922.8 |
| Total Fat 60.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 17.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 47.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3360.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 68.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 15.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 37.7g | |
| Protein 33.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 23.8IU | 0% |
| Calcium 848.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 7.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2003.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories