Homemade Sweet Tomato Sauce
A rich, sweet tomato sauce with fresh herbs, perfect for pasta, meats, or as a condiment, suited for family dinners and casual gatherings alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large kettle, sauté onions and garlic until onions are pearly.
- Add cooked down tomatoes or tomato puree, tomato paste, and chopped green pepper.
- Simmer the mixture for a few hours until the desired consistency is reached.
- When the sauce is to your liking, stir in chopped fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and sugar.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, try caramelizing the onions a bit longer before adding other ingredients. If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can substitute fresh parsley with dried if needed, but reduce the amount. If you have fresh tomatoes, you can cook them down instead of using canned. This sauce is versatile and can be adjusted to your taste.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade sweet tomato sauce is perfect over pasta or as a base for dishes like lasagna. It also pairs beautifully with Cabbage Coleslaw for a complete meal. Consider serving it alongside garlic bread or a fresh garden salad. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or pizza.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Homemade Sweet Tomato Sauce contains roughly 229 calories, with 8g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (449% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (42% of the Daily Value), and potassium (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1885mg per serving (82% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes! You'll need to peel and cook them down until they reach a similar consistency as canned tomatoes, which may take a bit longer but will enhance the flavor.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
To thicken the sauce, allow it to simmer uncovered for a longer period, enabling excess moisture to evaporate. Alternatively, you can add a bit more tomato paste or even a cornstarch slurry if you're in a hurry.
Is this sauce suitable for vegans?
Yes, this homemade sweet tomato sauce is entirely plant-based and suitable for vegans. Just be sure to check that any additional ingredients you use, like pasta, are also vegan-friendly.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).