Homemade Italian Spaghetti Sauce From Scratch
When it comes to Italian cuisine, spaghetti with homemade sauce is a classic and beloved dish. While you can purchase pre-made spaghetti sauce at the store, making your own from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and tailor the taste to your liking. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making homemade Italian spaghetti sauce from scratch.
Ingredients
The first step in making homemade Italian spaghetti sauce is gathering all the necessary ingredients. You will need:
- 28 ounces of canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let's start making the sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they are soft and translucent.
- Add the canned tomatoes to the pot, including the juice, and break them up with a spoon or a potato masher.
- Add the tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pot, and stir until everything is well combined.
- Lower the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 30 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it with an immersion blender or transfer it to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
- Your homemade Italian spaghetti sauce is now ready to be served!
Tips and Variations
Here are some additional tips and variations to help you customize your homemade Italian spaghetti sauce:
- If you want a meatier sauce, you can add ground beef or Italian sausage to the pot and cook it with the onions and garlic.
- If you want a thicker sauce, you can add more tomato paste or let it simmer for longer.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can leave the tomatoes as they are instead of breaking them up.
- If you want a healthier option, you can substitute spaghetti noodles with spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to create a unique flavor profile that suits your taste.
Conclusion
Making homemade Italian spaghetti sauce from scratch may seem intimidating, but it's actually a simple and rewarding process. By following this recipe and adding your own personal touch, you can create a delicious and satisfying sauce that will elevate your spaghetti to the next level. So, grab your apron and get cooking!