Making spaghetti sauce from scratch using fresh tomatoes is a delicious and rewarding process. Here's a simple recipe to guide you through the steps:
Ingredients:
- 5-6 large ripe tomatoes (about 2-3 pounds)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes or fresh basil leaves for added flavor
Instructions:
Prepare the tomatoes: Score a small "X" on the bottom of each tomato. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the tomatoes for about 1 minute. Remove them with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Once cooled, peel off the skin starting from the scored "X."
Remove seeds and excess water: Cut the tomatoes in half and scoop out the seeds and excess liquid using a spoon. Chop the tomatoes into small pieces. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can puree the tomatoes in a blender or food processor.
Cook the sauce: In a large saucepan or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to burn it.
Add the tomatoes and seasonings: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot along with the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and the bay leaf. If you like a hint of heat, you can also add some red pepper flakes at this point. Stir well to combine.
Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the pot with a lid to allow some steam to escape, and let the sauce simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and the flavors will intensify during this time.
Season and adjust: After simmering, taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your liking. If the sauce tastes too acidic, you can add a teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
Optional step: For an extra burst of freshness and flavor, you can add some torn fresh basil leaves to the sauce just before serving.
Serve: Your homemade spaghetti sauce is now ready to be enjoyed! Pour it over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for future use. It's a versatile base that you can customize by adding cooked ground meat, sautéed vegetables, or other ingredients of your choice. Enjoy your delicious homemade spaghetti sauce made from fresh tomatoes!