Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe – Fresh Tomatoes, Herbs & Ketchup

Last Updated on 3 months by Neha Deshmukh

Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe – Fresh Tomatoes, Herbs & Ketchup

Hey everyone! There’s just something so comforting about a rich, flavorful tomato sauce simmering on the stove. It’s the base for so many amazing dishes – pasta, pizza, curries… the possibilities are endless! I remember first making this when I was trying to recreate my nani’s (grandmother’s) incredible tomato-based curries, and honestly, this sauce is a game-changer. It’s so much better than store-bought, and surprisingly easy to make. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This homemade tomato sauce is a little slice of heaven. It’s bursting with fresh tomato flavor, beautifully balanced with aromatic herbs, and has just a hint of sweetness. Plus, knowing exactly what goes into your sauce is a huge win. You’re avoiding all those unnecessary additives and preservatives. It’s a simple recipe that delivers big time on taste!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of this deliciousness:

• 7 large ripe tomatoes (about 1 kg)
• 2.5 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 0.75 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• Pepper powder to taste

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients! A few things will really make this sauce shine:

• Tomatoes: Seriously, use the ripest, juiciest tomatoes you can find. They are the star of the show! In India, we have so many wonderful varieties – from the classic desi tomatoes to the sweeter, plum tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are also fantastic if you can find them.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil adds a lovely depth of flavor. Don’t skimp here! Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to.
• Dried Herbs: The blend of oregano, basil, and thyme is classic for a reason. They create such a warm, inviting aroma. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking. You can even add a pinch of rosemary for something a little different.
• Ketchup: Yes, ketchup! It adds a subtle sweetness and umami that really rounds out the flavor. Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like ketchup – it just enhances the tomato flavor.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get down to business!

1. First, we need to prep the tomatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Gently lower in 7 large tomatoes and boil for 2-3 minutes. Then, immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water. This makes peeling them a breeze!
2. Once cooled, peel the tomatoes, remove the seeds, and finely chop 3 of them. Blend the remaining 4 tomatoes until smooth.
3. Heat the olive oil in a nice, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and softened – about 5 minutes. Then, add the garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant. Don’t let the garlic burn!
4. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes, gently mashing them with the back of a spoon.
5. Now, pour in the blended tomato puree, followed by the tomato ketchup, oregano, basil, thyme, paprika, sugar, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.
6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together beautifully. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Expert Tips

• Don’t rush the simmering process! The longer the sauce simmers, the more flavorful it will become.
• If your sauce is too acidic, add a pinch more sugar.
• For a smoother sauce, you can pass it through a fine-mesh sieve after simmering.
• A splash of red wine vinegar can brighten up the flavors.

Variations

This recipe is super versatile! Here are a few ideas to customize it:

• Vegan Adaptation: This recipe is already naturally vegan! Just double-check your ketchup ingredients to be sure.
• Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of sugar or omit it altogether.
• Spice Level: My friend, Priya, loves to add a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick. Feel free to experiment!
• Festival Adaptations: During Navratri or other fasting periods, you can adapt this sauce by omitting the onion and garlic, and using permitted spices. It’s delicious with sabudana pasta!

Serving Suggestions

Oh, the possibilities! This tomato sauce is amazing with:

• Pasta (obviously!) – spaghetti, penne, fusilli… you name it.
• Pizza – spread it on your homemade pizza dough for a truly authentic flavor.
• Indian curries – use it as a base for your favorite tomato-based curry.
• Vegetable dishes – toss it with roasted vegetables for a simple and flavorful side dish.
• As a dipping sauce for pakoras or samosas!

Storage Instructions

Leftover sauce? Lucky you! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using.

FAQs

1. What is the best type of tomato to use for tomato sauce?

Honestly, the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find! Roma tomatoes are a great choice, but any good quality, ripe tomato will work.

2. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs in this recipe? What’s the conversion?

Absolutely! Use about 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.

3. How can I adjust the thickness of the sauce?

If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a longer period of time. If it’s too thick, add a little water or vegetable broth.

4. Can this tomato sauce be frozen? If so, for how long?

Yes! You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.

5. What can I do with leftover tomato sauce?

So many things! Use it in pasta, pizza, curries, or as a dipping sauce.

6. Is it necessary to add sugar to tomato sauce? What does it do?

Not necessarily, but it helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhance their natural sweetness.

Enjoy! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. Let me know in the comments how it turns out for you!