tomato sauce from scratch

Whitewater, WI
Updated on Sep 11, 2017

I had some Roma tomatoes that needed to be used. I am a fan of adding extra veggies to everything, so tried this! I'm still in the process of tweaking the seasonings, so don't forget to taste, taste, taste!

prep time 20 Min
cook time 2 Hr 15 Min
method Stove Top
yield 4-6 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds roma tomatoes
  • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 large green pepper, cut up
  • 1 stalk celery, cut up
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
  • - salt, to taste
  • - black pepper, to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup wine (whatever is open)
  • 1/4 cup water (more if needed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves (1/2 tsp dried)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil (1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste, or more to thicken

How To Make tomato sauce from scratch

  • Step 1
    Wash tomatoes, cut X in bottom, put into boiling water for 1 minute. Plunge into ice water until cooled. Peel and chop.
  • Step 2
    While tomatoes are cooling, heat oil in large pot, add chopped onion, carrot, pepper and celery. Saute until onion starts to caramelize, add garlic. Sauté another minute, add tomatoes, wine, water, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning and boullion .
  • Step 3
    Simmer together for about 2 hours. Taste. If too acidic, add some sugar or sweetener. When veggies are all softened, add herbs, remove bay leaf, turn off heat for a minute and whizz everything together with an immersion blender. (Or puree with a blender or food processor if that's what you've got.) Add the tomato paste. Return to heat and continue cooking until reduced to an acceptable consistency.
  • Step 4
    At this point, you can save the rest until you're ready to use it. I added frozen meatballs, cooked until everything was hot and served over pasta. Make sure to adjust seasoning to taste.

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