Pasta Sauce(Makes 12 Cups)
Rich, slow‑cooked tomato sauce bursting with garlic, basil, and a touch of sweetness—perfect for pasta, pizza, or dipping, and great for batch‑freezing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté chopped onion and garlic in oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven until fragrant, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, dried basil, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
- Simmer, stirring often, for 2 hours and 10 minutes until thickened.
- Allow to cool before storing or freezing as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine while simmering. You can substitute the white sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more natural sweetness. If fresh herbs are available, use them instead of dried; you'll need about three times as much. Feel free to adjust the crushed red pepper based on your heat preference. This sauce can also serve as a base for Italian Meatball Spaghetti.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this versatile pasta sauce over your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for dishes like Spaghetti Salad. It pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider adding cooked ground meats or vegetables. This sauce is also fantastic for layering in lasagna or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
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. When reheating, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, to maintain its flavor and texture. This sauce is perfect for meal prep!
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pasta Sauce(Makes 12 Cups) contains roughly 1998 calories, with 68g protein, 386g carbohydrates, and 68g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (494% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 482mg per serving (21% 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 make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, this sauce can be made a day or two in advance. In fact, the flavors deepen and improve as it sits. Store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve, or freeze it for longer storage. Just remember to let it cool completely before transferring it to containers.
How can I make this sauce thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it longer to reduce the liquid, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) during the last few minutes of cooking. Adjust the seasoning as needed if you alter the consistency.
Is this sauce suitable for a vegan diet?
Yes, this pasta sauce is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. You can enjoy it with various vegan pasta options or use it in dishes like Vegan recipes. It's a great way to add flavor to your plant-based meals!
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).