Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce (Family Recipe)

Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce is a family recipe made with San Marzano tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic, fresh basil, and salt. No fuss and super easy recipe, this Italian tomato sauce is guaranteed to be a favorite simply because it’s rich and loaded with flavor! And a superb one to serve over spaghetti.

Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce

There is nothing quite like homemade tomato sauce, especially this superb, sweet-tasting sauce. Regarding the “real” authentic Italian tomato sauce, there’s no better person to pass that recipe down to us than our mother, Maria. She was an amazing cook and learned her culinary skills from the great chefs while living in Capri with our father. And, everyone has been waiting for us to post this recipe.

For this recipe, all you’ll need is 1 large sauce pot to simmer the sauce, about 10 minutes to prep the onion and cloves of garlic and puree the canned imported San Marzano tomatoes. Then 1 hour to simmer the sauce. It is very EASY, and so delicious, and freezer-friendly.

There are only 7 ingredients to our family’s Italian Tomato Sauce and they are: extra virgin olive oil, lots of fresh basil, San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, one large onion, garlic cloves, butter, and salt.

So let’s get started!

How To Make Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce

Here are easy steps to making our family’s authentic Italian tomato sauce. Our full recipe card with ingredients and instructions is at the bottom.

STEP 1: Pour the olive oil into the pot. Turn on the lowest heat under the pot. Toss in fresh basil.

STEP 2: Meanwhile, prep the onion and garlic. Toss the garlic and chopped onion into a mini food processor (or mini chopper) and pulse until they are finely minced.

STEP 3: Add the onion and garlic mixture to the pot, which is already simmering the basil in olive oil. Then, toss 2 tablespoons of butter.

STEP 4: Meanwhile, open cans of San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, and (one can at a time) pour them into your blender and blend until pureed. Pour into the pot with simmering. Repeat with the next can. Helpful Tip: Use a spatula or some water to get every little drop of tomatoes remaining in the cans and add it to the blender.

STEP 5: Stir in the salt. Cover the pot with a lid, and bring it to a low boil. Then UNCOVER. Simmer the tomato sauce on the lowest heat for 1 hour, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Then turn off the heat and cover the pot. Allow the sauce “to rest” for 30 minutes before serving. Now, your San Marzano tomato sauce is ready to use.

Tools You’ll Need

• We love using the Cuisinart 8-Qt Multi-Clad Pro Sauce Pot when cooking tomato sauce.
• One wood cutting board to peel and chop the onion.
• A small mini electric food chopper is used to mince the onion and garlic.
• One good-quality can opener or an electric can opener.
• Any good brand, or Black & Decker Electric Blender to puree the peeled tomatoes.

Cooking with San Marzano Tomatoes

San Marzano Tomatoes are imported and produced from Italy. They produce the “best tasting” tomatoes in-the-world! That’s because they come from the San Marzano area located in the Campania region area in southern Italy, near Naples. It has the richest soil, the best climate, and a high water table to cultivate them, cultivating the best-tasting tomatoes- ever!

FAQ’s

1. Do we need to add any sugar? No, San Marzano tomatoes are already naturally sweet. Plus, the minced onions will dissolve completely into the sauce, making it sweet and flavorful. No need to add anything else to this rich, tasting tomato sauce.
2. Can we add other seasonings, like oregano? No, oregano is for “pizza sauce.” In Italy, they only add oregano when it calls for it like in “oreganata recipes.”
3. Can we freeze tomato sauce? Yes, but you will need the sauce to cool completely before storing it and freezing it. You can store it all week, in your refrigerator to use for many dishes and recipes, and freeze it for up to 3 months.
4. What other recipes can we serve this sauce with? There are so many options to use this tomato sauce: you can simmer meatballs for Sunday in this sauce, add some to stews, use it for casseroles, like our ravioli bake casserole, and our favorite lasagna, plus, so much more.

Authentic Tomato Sauce is Ready

Our mom’s recipe for authentic tomato sauce is the best! When you make a large batch of our family’s authentic tomato sauce, you can store it in your refrigerator and use it all week long. And for many different recipes! Plus, it freezes beautifully. Our family and friends have been asking us to post this recipe for the longest time, and it is finally here.

Try it, you won’t be disappointed … and enjoy!

Try These Next!

• Mom’s Classic Bolognese Sauce
• Best Pork Ragu Recipe
• Pasta with Genovese Sauce
• Braciole-Sicilian Style
• Wild Mushroom Ragu Recipe

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Have a Delicious Day!

thanks for stopping by…

xo anna and liz