Description
This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make tomato sauce perfect for pasta dishes. Combining fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, it simmers to a rich and savory sauce that brings authentic Italian taste to your kitchen. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, this sauce yields a delicious base for any spaghetti or pasta meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- ½ cup finely grated carrot
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- â…› teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (1 large can)
- 6 ounces tomato paste (1 small can)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- â…› teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup torn fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and sauté vegetables: In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and finely grated carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add tomato base and seasonings: Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with kosher salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, and granulated sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes until the sauce thickens. To prevent splattering, you may loosely cover the pot with a lid. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of water to reach desired consistency.
- Finish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed. Stir in the torn fresh basil leaves just before serving to impart fresh herbal flavor.
Notes
- For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender before adding fresh basil.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes amount to control spiciness.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes when possible to enhance flavor even further.
- Adding grated carrot balances acidity and adds natural sweetness.
