Fresh Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe Easy No Water Added Perfect for Pasta
A rich and velvety homemade tomato sauce made from fresh ripe tomatoes simmered slowly without adding water, perfect for pasta and more.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 55-70 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (8 servings) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lbs fresh ripe tomatoes (Roma or plum tomatoes preferred)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt (sea salt or kosher salt recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- A handful fresh basil leaves, torn (or 1 teaspoon dried basil as substitute)
- Optional: 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes by washing thoroughly, coring, and roughly chopping into chunks. Optionally peel by scoring an ‘X’ on the bottom, blanching in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunging into ice water.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to the pot. Stir gently to combine. Do not add water.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow sauce to thicken naturally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add a tiny pinch of sugar if sauce tastes too acidic, though usually unnecessary.
- Stir in torn fresh basil leaves during the last 2 minutes of cooking to preserve their bright flavor.
- Optional: Blend the sauce with an immersion blender or regular blender for a smoother consistency.
Notes
Use ripe Roma or plum tomatoes for best flavor and less water content. Avoid adding water to keep sauce thick and flavorful. Simmer low and slow to prevent bitterness and burning. Stir gently to maintain texture. Fresh basil added at the end preserves bright herbal notes. Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (125 ml)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: homemade tomato sauce, fresh tomato sauce, no water tomato sauce, easy pasta sauce, Italian sauce, tomato basil sauce, vegan tomato sauce, gluten-free tomato sauce