This Real Italian Tomato Sauce is a testament to simple, high-quality ingredients coming together to create something truly special. By sautéing fresh mushrooms and onions in olive oil before adding the tomatoes, you build a deep, earthy flavor base that elevates the dish far beyond a standard marinara. The addition of fresh garlic, basil, and a bay leaf infuses the sauce with aromatic complexity, while the combination of canned whole tomatoes, puree, and paste ensures a luxurious, velvety texture. Perfectly balanced with salt and pepper, this vegan-friendly sauce is incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with pasta, serves as an excellent base for pizza, or makes a hearty topping for polenta. ItâÂÂs a comforting, home-style recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
Real Italian Tomato Sauce (Lf)
Description
This Real Italian Tomato Sauce is a testament to simple, high-quality ingredients coming together to create something truly special. By saut&# 195;©ing fresh mushrooms and onions in olive oil before adding the tomatoes, you build a deep, earthy flavor base that elevates the dish far beyond a standard marinara. The addition of fresh garlic, basil, and a bay leaf infuses the sauce with aromatic complexity, while the combination of canned whole tomatoes, puree, and paste ensures a luxurious, velvety texture. Perfectly balanced with salt and pepper, this vegan-friendly sauce is incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with pasta, serves as an excellent base for pizza, or makes a hearty topping for polenta. ItâÂÂs a comforting, home-style recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.Ingredients
Directions
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Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms, cooking until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have released their moisture and browned, about 8-10 minutes.
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Stir in the crushed garlic, dried basil, and bay leaf, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Add the canned whole tomatoes, tomato puree, and tomato paste to the pan.
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Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
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Cover and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 87.2kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4.4g7%
- Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 11.0mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 8.9g3%
- Dietary Fiber 2.4g10%
- Sugars 5.0g
- Protein 6.5g13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For a smoother sauce, you can blend the mixture with an immersion blender or transfer it to a countertop blender after simmering.
If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmer the sauce uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Look for no-salt-added tomato products if you are trying to control the sodium content of your diet.
Fresh basil can be used instead of dried; add 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil at the end of cooking rather than at the beginning.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
