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Home / Recipes

Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

A good Spaghetti Sauce can be used in many ways.  Make a big batch of this delicious tomato sauce and have it on hand whenever you need it.

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

03/25/2025
4.91 from 126 votes
Jump to Recipe Video
Serves: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 30 minutes mins
Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce
A jar of Tomato Sauce with basil and chopped parsley scattered around it
A close-up of a ladle filled with vibrant tomato sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. The chunky texture highlights pieces of tomato. In the background, a blur of rich red sauce simmers in the pot.

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This recipe for Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce shows how to make spaghetti sauce from scratch right in your own kitchen.

Serve with pasta and a side of warm Homemade Garlic Bread for an easy weeknight dinner everyone will enjoy!

A jar of Tomato Sauce with basil and chopped parsley scattered around it
Pin This Recipe For Later!

This easy homemade pasta sauce is super simple to make and tastes so much better than store-bought ever could!

Simply saute onions, garlic carrots, and celery in a pan, adding tomatoes, seasoning, and fresh herbs – it’s that easy!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Using carrots in the sauce adds sweetness and lowers acidity.
  • Using fresh herbs and aromatics adds a flavor that can’t be found in store-bought sauces.
  • Slowly simmering the sauce brings out all the deep, rich flavors without lots of added ingredients.

What Tomatoes For Tomato Sauce

a glass bowl with whole tomatoes in their juice

When buying canned tomatoes, it’s always a good idea to go for whole plum or Roma tomatoes.  Manufacturers save the best quality tomatoes for canning whole because they need to look pristine.  They are picked and canned at the peak of ripeness.

San Marzano tomatoes are high-quality tomatoes with a sweet flavor and little acidity. Legally, and to be called a San Marzano, this tomato has to be grown in the Sarno Valley in Italy and there will be a DOP symbol on the can.

This recipe calls for crushed tomatoes, but I use whole canned tomatoes that I crush myself. Whole tomatoes can be put through a food mill, crushed or pureed in a food processor before using them for the sauce.

Using Fresh Tomatoes

a bunch of fresh tomatoes

To use fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones in tomato sauce, remove the ends and cut them into quarters. Then coat with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast them at 400°F for 30 to 35 minutes (keep an eye on them if you don’t want them browned) then I puree the mixture until smooth. This is a great way to keep them from becoming too watery (although tomato paste may need to be added to thicken the sauce). Then use as you would canned tomatoes.

Use 1 lb of fresh tomatoes for every 14oz can (this recipe would need 4 lbs). See the recipe notes for more detailed instructions.

How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce:

  1. Soften the chopped onion and vegetables then add the garlic and cook another minute.
  2. Add the tomatoes, seasoning, and herbs bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer until thickened.

Step By Step Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saucepan on medium heat and saute the onion, celery, and carrots until they are soft and no liquid is being released from them.

A close up of the carrots, celery and onions sauteing in a pan.

The key to keeping this Easy Homemade Tomato Pasta Sauce recipe really simple is a food processor. It’s not only a speedy way to chop the vegetables but by chopping them quite fine, they cook even faster.  The smaller they’re chopped, the quicker the sauce will cook.

The onion carrot and celery in a food processor ready to chop

In the middle of the softened vegetables, form a well, and add the remaining olive oil, followed by the garlic.  Allow the garlic to brown slightly (being careful not to let it burn). This allows the garlic to release the most flavor.

Garlic cooking in the well of the other vegetables

Mix in the tomatoes and herbs.

The herbs and tomatoes added to the pan with the vegetables

Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. 

The sauce being stirred in the pot

This tomato sauce will thicken as it cooks.  If it becomes too thick, you can add a little water to loosen it up.

A close-up of a ladle filled with vibrant tomato sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. The chunky texture highlights pieces of tomato. In the background, a blur of rich red sauce simmers in the pot.

Serve this Spaghetti Sauce on pasta or add it to pizza – the choices are endless!

Plate of pasta with Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce and parsley sprinkled over it.

Tips For Best Results

  • If you like a thinner sauce, you can add it to the food processor and puree it into your desired consistency or if you like a thicker sauce, just skip this step.
  • This recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated for two days.
  • If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, they can be substituted for dried ones.  Dried parsley has next to no flavor so I suggest using oregano in its place.
  • Baking soda neutralizes acidity. To save bitter tomato sauce, add a pinch of baking soda at a time (tasting in between) until the acidity disappears.

FAQs

Can homemade tomato sauce be frozen?

Yes, it can easily be made in large batches and frozen by separating it into airtight, freezer-safe containers and freezing for up to four months.

How do you store tomato sauce?

Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
Alternatively, see this article on The Spruce Eats for canning tomato sauce.

How do you make tomato sauce thicker?

The best way to thicken tomato sauce is to reduce it by simmering uncovered until it thickens on its own.

Rate This Recipe

Click here to leave a star rating!

A close-up of a ladle filled with vibrant tomato sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. The chunky texture highlights pieces of tomato. In the background, a blur of rich red sauce simmers in the pot.

Recipe

Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

A good Spaghetti Sauce can be used in many ways.  Make a big batch of this delicious tomato sauce and have it on hand whenever you need it.
4.91 from 126 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion (peeled and quartered)
  • 2 stalks of celery (cleaned and cut into chunks)
  • 2 medium carrots (peeled and cut into chunks )
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
  • 56 oz crushed tomatoes ((four 14oz/400g cans or two 28oz cans))
  • 1 good handful fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped)
  • 1 good handful fresh basil (chopped)
  • Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Add the onion, carrots, and celery and to a food processor and chop them into small pieces.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saucepan on medium heat and saute the onion, celery, and carrots until they are soft and no liquid is being released from them.
  • In the middle of the softened vegetables, form a well, and add the remaining olive oil, followed by the garlic.  Allow the garlic to brown slightly (being careful not to let it burn).
  • Mix in the tomatoes and herbs.
  • Add seasoning, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.  
  • If you like a thinner sauce you can add it to the food processor and puree into your desired consistency or if you like a thicker sauce, skip this step.

Tips

 
  • Baking soda neutralizes acidity. To save bitter sauce, add an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda at a time tasting in between until the acidity dissipates.  Alternatively, try adding sugar 1/2 tablespoon at a time (tasting in between) will cut the acid.
  • This tomato sauce will thicken as it cooks.  If it becomes too thick, you can add a little water to loosen it up.
  • If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, they can be substituted for dried ones.  Dried parsley has next to no flavor so I suggest using oregano in its place.

Using Fresh Tomatoes

To use fresh tomatoes you will need 4 lbs of tomatoes, cut into quarters, coat with olive oil and salt and pepper, and roast at 400°F for 30-35 minutes (keep an eye on them if you don’t want them browned) then I puree the mixture until smooth. This is a great way to keep them from becoming too watery (although tomato paste may need to be added to thicken the sauce). Then use as you would canned tomatoes.
 
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 123 | Carbohydrates: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5220IU | Vitamin C: 5.5mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Created by Erren Hart
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Update Notes: This post was originally published on: Sep 25, 2017, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, cooking tips and video in Feb 2019.

4.91 from 126 votes (72 ratings without comment)

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128 responses

  1. tony hackett Avatar
    tony hackett
    03/30/2024

    1 have made your mushroom tagliatelle and tomato sauce a number of times and must say they are excellent .keep up the good work

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      04/01/2024

      Thank you so much, Tony!! That is so wonderful to hear!

      Reply
  2. Calderon Avatar
    Calderon
    02/29/2024

    Thank you so much for this recipe. This helped me in a culinary exam :).

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      03/01/2024

      You’re so welcome!! Thank you for using it!! 🥰 Hope your exam turned out well!

      Reply
  3. john henry Avatar
    john henry
    09/12/2023

    Your post is both informative and engaging. I’ll definitely bookmark this page for future reference. Thank you for sharing this post!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      09/19/2023

      Thank you so much for your positive review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the recipe. Your feedback is truly appreciated, and we’re so glad that it turned out well for you.

      Reply
  4. Joanie Avatar
    Joanie
    09/08/2023

    This sauce is versatile, perfect for pasta dishes, pizza, and more. It was definitely worth the effort to whip up a batch and savor the genuine, home-cooked difference! Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      09/08/2023

      Hi Joanie, I’m so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the homemade tomato sauce and find it so versatile! It’s wonderful to know that the effort put into making it from scratch paid off! Thank you for your kind feedback, and if you have any other recipes or tweaks you’d like to explore, feel free to ask. Keep enjoying your cooking adventures!

      Reply
  5. Samantha Phillips Avatar
    Samantha Phillips
    08/23/2023

    I love this recipe! I’m attempting a big batch to can, after roasting fresh Roma tomatoes do you take the skin off before puréeing?

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      08/24/2023

      Hi Samantha, I’m glad you love the recipe! I don’t peel them, but you can if it’s your preference. The roasting process should make the skin easier to peel off. This can be done by gently peeling the skin away from the flesh of the tomatoes. Once the skin is removed, you can proceed with puréeing the roasted tomatoes to make your tomato sauce. Happy cooking and canning! 🍅🍝

      Reply
  6. Ash Avatar
    Ash
    08/22/2023

    This is EXACTLY like my Italian grandfather used to make when he would visit when I was a kid. Thank you for giving me a piece of my family history back! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      08/24/2023

      I’m happy to hear that this recipe has brought back cherished memories of your Italian grandfather’s cooking! Food has a wonderful way of connecting us to our past and our loved ones. I’m glad I could help you relive those moments through this recipe. If you ever want to explore more recipes or have any questions, feel free to reach out. Happy cooking and reminiscing! 🇮🇹🍝👨‍🍳

      Reply
  7. Karen Avatar
    Karen
    08/12/2023

    Delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      08/14/2023

      I’m delighted to hear that the recipe turned out well for you. Your positive feedback means a lot.

      Reply
  8. Luann Cassell Avatar
    Luann Cassell
    08/08/2023

    Can this recipe be hot bath to save for several months? Do I need to add lemon juice too? How long to hot bath them!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      08/14/2023

      Do you mean canning? I’m not sure what you mean by hot bath.

      Reply
  9. Julie Avatar
    Julie
    07/23/2023

    I can’t believe how easy this was! And I had all of the ingredients in my home already. I did a little tweaking of my own and shredded the carrots so that they would soften faster which also helped to thicken the sauce. And I didn’t have fresh herbs on hand but that didn’t weaken the flavor. I also added diced green chilies to spice things up. It was absolutely fabulous and I will be making it from now on! My family LOVES it😊👍🏽

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      07/25/2023

      Thank you for sharing your creative tweaks to our recipe! It’s fantastic to hear that it worked well for you and that you found the recipe easy and enjoyable. Keep exploring and tailoring recipes to your taste – that’s the beauty of cooking. Happy cooking! 👌🍲

      Reply
  10. Alexandra Avatar
    Alexandra
    05/26/2023

    Its a very nice and great information… I just loved reading your content.

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      05/26/2023

      Thank you for your feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the dish and you find the content so useful! 🙂

      Reply
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