Ever wonder if you could whip up a truly amazing pasta sauce right in your own kitchen? Well, get ready, because you absolutely can! Forget those bland store bought jars. We are talking about a rich, vibrant, and utterly delicious tomato sauce that is perfect for any meal.
Making your own homemade pizza sauce or a versatile Italian sauce is easier than you think. It is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh flavors, save some money, and even stock your pantry for future pizza night festivities or quick weeknight pasta recipes. Let us dive in!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what is not to love about a fantastic pasta sauce that you made yourself? This recipe takes fresh tomatoes and transforms them into something truly special. It is packed with flavor that store bought options simply cannot match, making every bite a delight.
One of the best parts is its versatility. This is not just for pasta recipes. Think about using this savory goodness as an easy pizza sauce for your next family pizza night. Or maybe you are craving some warm, cheesy calzones? This sauce has got you covered there too.
Plus, it is incredibly budget friendly. Buying fresh tomatoes in season means you get a lot of bang for your buck. You can make a big batch, which is perfect for meal prep, ensuring you always have a delicious, healthy option ready to go.
It is also a fantastic way to preserve the taste of summer. Imagine opening a jar of your own vibrant marinara in the middle of winter. Pure bliss, right? This recipe makes that dream a tasty reality.
Ingredients
- 20 pounds Roma or paste tomatoes
- 3 cups tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice per pint
- 1 teaspoon salt per pint
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano per pint
- 1 teaspoon dried basil per pint
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder per pint
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper per pint
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Tomatoes
First things first, give those beautiful Roma or paste tomatoes a good wash. Then, score a small X on the bottom of each one. This little trick makes peeling a breeze. Pop them into boiling water for about 30 to 60 seconds, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. Once cooled, the skins will slip right off. Core and quarter your peeled tomatoes.
Step 2: Start Simmering
Place all those lovely peeled and quartered tomatoes into a really big pot. As they start to heat up over medium heat, crush them gently. You want to get those juices flowing. Bring the whole mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Thicken That Goodness
Once it is boiling, reduce the heat and let your tomato sauce simmer uncovered. This is where the magic happens. Simmer for about 60 to 90 minutes. You will notice it starts to thicken up nicely as the water evaporates. Keep an eye on it and give it a stir every now and then.
Step 4: Blend Until Smooth
Now for that perfect, velvety texture. Grab your immersion blender and blend the sauce directly in the pot until it is wonderfully smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer batches to a regular blender, but be super careful with hot liquids!
Step 5: Season and Finish
Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This is where your delicious Italian sauce gets its signature flavor. Continue to simmer until the pasta sauce reaches a thick, spreadable consistency. This is key for a rich marinara or a robust homemade pizza sauce.
Step 6: Prepare for Canning
While your sauce is simmering, prepare your pint jars. Make sure they are sterilized and kept hot. This is super important for safe canning. Add 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice to each jar. This ensures the correct acidity for safe preservation of your pasta sauce.
Step 7: Fill and Seal
Carefully ladle the hot pasta sauce into the prepared jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Use a nonmetallic spatula to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth. Apply the lids and tighten the bands to fingertip tight.
Step 8: Process in Water Bath
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes. Remember to adjust the processing time if you live at a higher altitude. This step is crucial for creating a shelf stable product, giving you peace of mind for your meal prep.
Step 9: Cool and Store
Once processed, carefully remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool undisturbed on a towel lined counter for 12 to 24 hours. Do not touch them! After they are cool, check the seals. The lids should be concave and not flex when pressed. Store your beautifully canned tomato sauce in a cool, dark pantry.
How To Store Leftovers
Since this recipe includes a canning process, proper storage means you will have delicious pasta sauce ready for months! Once your jars are sealed and stored in a cool, dark pantry, they can last for up to a year. This makes serious meal prep a breeze.
If you open a jar or have any unsealed jars, simply transfer the leftover marinara to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 5 to 7 days. You can also freeze any unsealed sauce in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months.
Having these jars on hand means a quick pasta sauce is always within reach. No more scrambling for ingredients on a busy weeknight. Just grab a jar, heat it up, and toss it with your favorite pasta recipes.
Tips
Want to make this pasta sauce truly your own? Here are a few pointers. For an even richer flavor, you can roast some of your tomatoes before peeling. This adds a lovely depth that is simply incredible.
Do not be shy about adjusting the seasonings. Taste your sauce after blending and simmering with the herbs. If you like a little more kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you prefer a sweeter tomato sauce, a tiny bit of sugar can balance the acidity.
If you are short on time and cannot find fresh Roma or paste tomatoes, you can adapt this recipe using high quality canned crushed tomatoes. Just skip the blanching and peeling steps, and start from the simmering stage. It makes for an even faster quick pasta sauce!
This homemade goodness is not just for pasta recipes. Use it as a base for hearty stews, a topping for chicken parmesan, or even as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks. The possibilities are endless when you have a great marinara on hand.
Conclusion
There you have it! A truly fabulous, homemade pasta sauce recipe that is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. It is so rewarding to make something from scratch that tastes this good. Every spoonful will remind you of the care and fresh ingredients you put into it.
Whether you are planning a cozy pizza night, stocking up your pantry for delicious meal prep, or just want to elevate your everyday pasta recipes, this versatile Italian sauce is your go to. Give it a try, and prepare to impress yourself and your loved ones!
FAQ
Can I use other types of tomatoes for this pasta sauce?
While Roma or paste tomatoes are ideal because of their low water content and meaty texture, you can use other types. Just be aware that juicier varieties might require a longer simmering time to achieve the desired thickness for your tomato sauce.
What if I do not have an immersion blender?
No worries! You can carefully transfer the hot marinara in batches to a regular blender. Be sure to only fill it halfway, vent the lid, and cover with a kitchen towel to prevent splatters. Blend until smooth, then return to the pot.
Is the bottled lemon juice really necessary for canning?
Yes, absolutely! Bottled lemon juice is crucial for ensuring the proper acidity levels for safe water bath canning. This prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. Do not skip this step, especially if you plan to store your pasta sauce on the shelf.
Can I freeze this homemade pizza sauce instead of canning it?
Definitely! If canning seems like too much work, you can freeze your finished easy pizza sauce. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer safe containers or bags, leaving some headspace. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months, making it excellent for future pizza night plans.
How can I make this a quick pasta sauce on a weeknight?
The best way to make this a quick pasta sauce for weeknights is to have jars of it already canned or frozen! If you are making it fresh, using good quality canned crushed tomatoes instead of fresh ones will save a lot of time on prep. You can get a delicious tomato sauce ready in under an hour that way.
Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
Ditch the store-bought jars for this rich, family-friendly tomato sauce. It is a simple, no-fuss way to prep a tasty base for weeknight pasta or pizza night that everyone will love.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash tomatoes and score an X on the bottom. Blanch in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then move to an ice bath. Peel using a Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, then core and quarter.
- Place tomatoes into a 5 Quart Stock Pot Multipurpose. Heat over medium and crush gently with a Stainless Steel Wire Masher to release juices. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 60 to 90 minutes until the sauce thickens naturally and water evaporates.
- Use a Ninja Professional Blender 1000W to blend the sauce directly in the pot until it reaches a velvety smooth consistency.
- Stir in tomato paste, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the sauce reaches a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Prepare sterilized pint jars and keep them hot. Add 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice to each jar to ensure proper acidity.
- Ladle hot sauce into jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles with a spatula, wipe rims, and seal with lids and bands.
- Process jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes. Adjust processing time if you live at a higher altitude.
- Cool jars on a towel-lined counter for 12-24 hours. Check seals and store your homemade sauce in a cool, dark pantry.
Notes
Using Roma or paste tomatoes is best because they have less water and more meat, resulting in a thicker sauce faster.
Always use bottled lemon juice for canning rather than fresh to guarantee a consistent acidity level for safety.
For a deeper flavor, try roasting half of your tomatoes before peeling and adding them to the pot.
This sauce is perfect for meal prep; canned jars are shelf-stable for up to a year in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition
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