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Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

A wonderful homemade tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs. Serve over spaghetti noodles, or use in your favorite lasagna recipe.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 599.1 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven For simmering the sauce
  • 1 Chef's knife For chopping tomatoes and onion
  • 1 Cutting Board For safe preparation of ingredients
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and sautéing
  • 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups For accurate ingredient portions

Ingredients
  

Main

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 pounds fresh tomatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Will Dickey / Food Styling: Sally McKay / Prop styling: Phoebe Hauser
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic powder; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Add tomatoes, sugar, basil, parsley, and salt; bring to a boil. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 1 to 2 hours. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Serve hot and enjoy! DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Notes

The success of this sauce hinges on the quality of your fresh tomatoes; opt for ripe, in-season varieties for the best flavor. While garlic powder is used, consider using 2-3 cloves of fresh minced garlic for a more vibrant aroma and deeper flavor profile. Simmering time is crucial; don't rush it. The longer the sauce simmers, the more the flavors meld and the thicker it becomes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. A splash of red wine or a parmesan rind added during simmering can further enrich the sauce's complexity. Adjust sugar to balance the tomatoes' acidity; some batches may require more or less.