If you’ve ever wondered how to make a rich, balanced homemade tomato sauce with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, this is the only tomato sauce recipe you’ll need. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to turn one can of whole peeled tomatoes, good olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil leaves into a silky, vibrant sauce that tastes like it simmered all day — but comes together in just 20 minutes. What makes this technique different? I bloom the garlic gently (never browned), simmer briefly for brightness, and finish with balsamic vinegar for depth. It’s a simple but tested method I’ve perfected over years of cooking, entertaining, and developing recipes for food brands.
Table of Contents
- A Little Story From My Kitchen
- Why I Love This Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Ingredients (And Why They Matter)
- How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce
- Variations & Substitutions
- What to Serve With Tomato Sauce
- How to Store & Freeze
- Final Thoughts
- Connect With Me
I’ve made more batches of homemade tomato sauce than I can count — for weeknight pasta, for pizza nights, for meatballs for pasta, and even layered into lasagna. I’ve tested long-simmered red sauces, five-minute versions, fresh tomato versions, and slow-cooked Italian-American styles. This recipe is my sweet spot: easy, balanced, approachable, and elegant. If you love simple ingredients done well, you’re in the right place.
A Little Story From My Kitchen
I remember the first time I ditched the jarred tomato sauce bottle and made it myself. I was hosting friends for dinner and needed something quick for pasta. I had a can of tomatoes, garlic, and basil on the counter — that was it. Twenty minutes later, everyone was asking for the recipe.
That’s when I realized something: good tomato sauce isn’t about complexity. It’s about restraint.
Why I Love This Tomato Sauce Recipe
- It’s fast — ready in about 20 minutes.
- It uses pantry staples.
- It works for pasta, pizza, seafood, chicken, or even as a dipping sauce.
- It’s perfectly balanced between acidity, sweetness, and herbal freshness.
- It freezes beautifully in an airtight container.
This is the kind of easy tomato sauce recipe that makes people fall back in love with cooking.
Ingredients (And Why They Matter)
1 can (796 ml) whole peeled tomatoes
I prefer whole plum tomatoes, ideally San Marzano if you can find them. They have natural sweetness and lower acidity. You can absolutely make tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes in summer, but canned tomatoes are consistent year-round.
4–6 garlic cloves, minced
Use fresh garlic — not jarred. Garlic builds the foundation of flavor.
2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin olive oil)
Use good quality virgin olive oil. Since this sauce is simple, the oil’s flavor shines through.
1 tsp salt
Enhances the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
1 tsp sugar
Just enough to round out acidity (especially if tomatoes are sharp).
1 handful fresh basil leaves
Adds brightness and aroma. Whole basil leaves infuse gently and are removed later.
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
My secret ingredient. It deepens the flavor without overpowering.
Optional: pinch of pepper flakes for gentle heat.
How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce
Step 1: Bloom the Garlic
In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden — never browned. Browning garlic makes sauce bitter.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes
Pour in the canned whole tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to break them into smaller pieces. You can crush them by hand in a large bowl before adding if you prefer a smoother texture.
Step 3: Season & Simmer
Add salt and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Add Fresh Basil
Add whole fresh basil leaves and simmer another 10 minutes.
Step 5: Finish
Remove and discard basil. Stir in balsamic vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning.
That’s it — your homemade tomato sauce recipe is done.
Expert Tips for the Best Tomato Sauce
Use high-quality canned plum tomatoes (San Marzano if possible).
Don’t rush the garlic.
If sauce tastes acidic, add a splash more olive oil instead of sugar.
For smoother sauce, blend briefly with an immersion blender.
Want a thicker sauce for pizza? Simmer uncovered a few extra minutes.
For a richer Italian-American red sauce recipe, simmer up to 45 minutes.
Add a splash of pasta water when tossing with pasta — it helps emulsify the sauce.
Variations & Substitutions
- Tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes: Blanch, peel, and chop fresh tomatoes before simmering.
- Add sautéed onions for a sweeter base.
- Stir in butter at the end for silkiness.
- Add oregano for a more classic Italian flavor.
- Toss with roasted vegetables like butternut squash.
- Add ground beef for a quick meat sauce.
- Use as base for meatballs for pasta or recipe for meatballs spaghetti.
- Blend with cream for a rosé-style pasta sauce.
- Add chili flakes for heat.
- Use as a base for tomato pasta sauce recipes or seafood dishes.
What to Serve With Tomato Sauce
- Pasta with tomato sauce (obviously!)
- Fresh pasta tomato sauce recipe
- Pizza
- Chicken parmesan
- Seafood dishes
- Baked eggs in tomato sauce
- Lasagna
- Stuffed shells
It’s one of those recipes you’ll save and come back to again and again.
How to Store & Freeze
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Portion into freezer-safe bags for easy weeknight meals.
FAQ
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make homemade tomato sauce is one of those foundational kitchen skills that instantly elevates your cooking. It’s affordable, simple, and endlessly adaptable. Once you make your own, it’s hard to go back to a store-bought tomato sauce can or bottle.
This sauce proves that great cooking doesn’t require complicated ingredients — just thoughtful technique and quality basics. Save this recipe, give it a rating, and make it your own. You’ll never look at pasta night the same way again.
Connect With Me
Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes and food tips. And, join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
