Low Sodium Traditional Italian Sugo

Experience the comforting flavors of Italy with this Low Sodium Traditional Italian Sugo, a heart-healthy twist on a classic tomato sauce. Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients like unsalted crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and a medley of finely chopped vegetables, this recipe is packed with rich, natural flavor while keeping sodium levels in check. The process begins with a slow sauté of onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to form a fragrant base, followed by a slow simmer of tomatoes, herbs, and a touch of tomato paste for added depth. Fresh basil leaves are stirred in at the very end to brighten up the sauce, making it perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta, pizza, or even as a dipping sauce. Ready in under an hour and freezer-friendly, this versatile sugo proves that you don’t need salt to enjoy authentic Italian taste. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or anyone looking for a low-sodium alternative to store-bought sauces!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 medium stalk celery, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces unsalted canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste, no salt added
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 6 leaves fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for sweetness balance)
• 1 cup water

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely diced onion, grated carrot, and diced celery to the pan. Sauté for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let the garlic burn.

Step 4

Stir in the no salt added tomato paste, allowing it to cook with the vegetables for 2-3 minutes to deepen its flavor.

Step 5

Add the unsalted crushed tomatoes, water, dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and (if using) crushed red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 6

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the sauce to simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and add the optional teaspoon of sugar if you would like to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Adjust seasoning as needed with additional dried herbs or pepper.

Step 8

Stir in the freshly chopped basil leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a final layer of fresh flavor.

Step 9

Once finished cooking, remove the sauce from heat. Serve immediately over your favorite pasta or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1352.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	557.5

Total Fat 30.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 157.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 71.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.1g	0%
Total Sugars 41.2g
Protein 11.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 270.6mg	0%
Iron 7.4mg	0%
Potassium 2101.9mg	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: 45.1%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 47.4%