Mike's Italian Grandma's Pasta Sauce

Transport your taste buds to a cozy Italian kitchen with "Mike's Italian Grandma's Pasta Sauce," a timeless homemade recipe packed with authentic flavor and love. This rich and velvety sauce combines the robust essence of canned whole peeled tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and sweet basil, elevated by subtle hints of dried oregano and a Parmesan rind for a savory depth. Slowly simmered to perfection over two hours, this soul-warming sauce brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, balanced by a touch of granulated sugar. Whether served over al dente pasta or as a base for your favorite Italian dishes, this recipe delivers the nostalgic taste of tradition. Perfect for a family meal or meal prep for the week, this hearty sauce will be your go-to for achieving restaurant-quality flavor at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 56 ounces Canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 6 Fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
• 1 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Step 4

Carefully pour in the canned whole peeled tomatoes and their juices. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to break the tomatoes into smaller chunks.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, basil leaves, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Add 1 cup of water to the pot and mix well. If using a Parmesan rind, add it at this stage for extra depth of flavor.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover partially with a lid, and let the sauce cook for 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 8

After 2 hours, remove the Parmesan rind (if used) and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 9

Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving over your favorite pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2282.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	881.5

Total Fat 35.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg	0%
Sodium 2703.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.7g	0%
Total Sugars 81.1g
Protein 28.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 794.9mg	0%
Iron 22.2mg	0%
Potassium 4362.4mg	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: 33.1%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 54.9%