Meg's Red Sauce Loaded with Tomatoes and Mushrooms

Dive into the hearty, comforting goodness of *Meg's Red Sauce Loaded with Tomatoes and Mushrooms*, a rich and flavorful homemade tomato sauce that’s perfect for pasta night or your favorite Italian-inspired dishes. This recipe combines a trio of tomatoes—crushed, fresh, and paste—for layers of vibrant flavor, while sautéed button mushrooms add a savory, umami-packed depth. Infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and a blend of dried herbs like oregano and basil, the sauce is simmered to perfection, creating a velvety texture and robust taste. A hint of sugar balances the acidity, and optional crushed red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat. Ready in under an hour and garnished with fresh parsley, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with spaghetti, lasagna, or even as a pizza topping. For an extra touch of customization, adjust the consistency with vegetable broth or water to suit any dish. Your kitchen will be filled with irresistible aromas and the promise of a homemade meal to savor.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 medium fresh tomatoes, diced
• 8 ounces button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 0.5 cup water or vegetable broth (optional, to adjust consistency)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to enhance its flavor.

Step 6

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the diced fresh tomatoes. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Season the sauce with oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in up to 1/2 cup of water or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.

Step 10

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 11

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Step 12

Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for lasagna, pizza, or other dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1706.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	679.3

Total Fat 31.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3415.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.7g	0%
Total Sugars 56.9g
Protein 24.1g	0%

Vitamin D 22.7IU	0%
Calcium 261.3mg	0%
Iron 9.5mg	0%
Potassium 3837.8mg	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: 37.4%

Protein: 12.7%

Carbs: 49.9%