Spaghetti Sauce Recipe Using Fresh Tomatoes
Spaghetti is a beloved Italian dish that has become a staple in many American households. And while there are countless varieties of spaghetti sauces available at the grocery store, nothing beats a homemade sauce made from fresh ingredients. In this article, we will show you how to make a delicious spaghetti sauce using fresh tomatoes that is healthier and more flavorful than anything you can buy from a store.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather all the ingredients we will need for this recipe:
- 8-10 fresh tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
- 1/4 cup of red wine (optional)
Instructions
Now that we have all of our ingredients, let's get started on making our spaghetti sauce:
- Start by washing and chopping your tomatoes into small pieces. Set them aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the saucepan and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the tomatoes have started to break down and release their juices.
- Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
- If you're using red wine, add it to the saucepan now. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it is smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can transfer the sauce to a blender or food processor and blend it in batches.
- Your homemade spaghetti sauce is now ready to use! Serve it over your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to consider when making your spaghetti sauce:
- If you want to add some protein to your spaghetti, you can brown some ground beef, turkey, or sausage and add it to the sauce.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can strain the tomatoes through a fine-mesh sieve before adding them to the saucepan.
- You can also add other vegetables to your sauce, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- To make your sauce spicier, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- If you have leftover sauce, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to three months.
Conclusion
Making spaghetti sauce from scratch using fresh tomatoes is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals. This recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you're looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought sauces or just want to try something new, we hope this recipe inspires you to get creative in the kitchen!
