Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Without Tomato Paste
If you're tired of using store-bought spaghetti sauce that is often full of preservatives and additives, you're in luck! Making homemade spaghetti sauce is easier than you think, and it allows you to control the ingredients and spice level to your liking. In this article, we'll show you how to make spaghetti sauce without tomato paste that is both delicious and healthy.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we'll need:
- 1 large can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let's start cooking:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Stir to combine all the ingredients, and bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce simmer for about 30-45 minutes, or until it has thickened to your liking. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend the sauce until it is smooth and creamy. Be careful when blending hot liquids!
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more salt, sugar, or spices to your liking.
- Your homemade spaghetti sauce without tomato paste is ready to use! Serve it over cooked spaghetti or any other pasta of your choice. You can also store the sauce in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Why Make Spaghetti Sauce Without Tomato Paste?
Tomato paste is often used in store-bought spaghetti sauce to give it a thicker texture and a deeper tomato flavor. However, tomato paste can also be loaded with added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors. By making spaghetti sauce without tomato paste, you can avoid these unhealthy ingredients and still enjoy a delicious and flavorful sauce.
Benefits of Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Making your own spaghetti sauce has many benefits, including:
- Control over the ingredients: You can choose high-quality ingredients and avoid unhealthy additives.
- Customizable taste: You can adjust the seasoning and spice level to your liking.
- Cost-effective: Making spaghetti sauce from scratch is often cheaper than buying store-bought sauce.
- Freshness: Homemade spaghetti sauce is made with fresh ingredients and has a brighter flavor than canned sauce.
- Less waste: By making your own sauce, you can avoid the excess packaging and waste that comes with buying pre-made products.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade spaghetti sauce without tomato paste is a simple and rewarding process. By using fresh ingredients and adjusting the seasoning to your liking, you can create a delicious and healthy sauce that your whole family will love. So why not give it a try?