Creating homemade tomato sauce doesn’t have to be time-consuming, at least not in my household. I’m no tomato sauce expert and steer clear of overly garlicky, overly sweet, or most store-bought jarred sauces. My preference is to use the tomatoes from my garden, making the process both simple and satisfying. I utilized the last harvest of beefsteak and cherry tomatoes in this particular recipe for a unique twist.
If you don’t have access to a garden for fresh tomatoes, the choice of tomato can significantly impact the outcome of your sauce. Here are some well-regarded tomato varieties often employed in crafting delicious tomato sauces:
- San Marzano: Renowned for their sweet and tangy flavor, these Italian plum tomatoes boast fewer seeds and thicker flesh, making them a staple in traditional Italian sauces.
- Roma: Also known as plum tomatoes, Romas are oval-shaped with a meaty texture and fewer seeds. Their low moisture content makes them ideal for sauces, pastes, and canning.
- Amish Paste: Similar to Roma tomatoes but with a richer, sweeter flavor, Amish Paste tomatoes are perfect for creating thick and flavorful tomato sauces.
- Celebrity: Known for their balanced flavor and high yield, Celebrity tomatoes are a determinate variety suitable for making sauces and are a reliable choice for home gardeners.
- Brandywine: This heirloom variety with large, flavorful fruits has a sweet and complex taste. While not as meaty as some, Brandywine tomatoes can add a unique flavor profile to your sauce.
- Plum Regal: Specifically bred for sauce-making, this determinate variety has a concentrated flavor and is often used for canning and processing into sauces.
- Costoluto Genovese: An Italian heirloom tomato with a slightly flattened, ribbed shape, offering a robust flavor and juicy texture ideal for sauces and canning.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Though larger tomatoes are commonly preferred for sauce, some enjoy the sweeter and more vibrant flavor of cherry tomatoes, especially varieties like San Marzano cherry tomatoes.
Remember, the ripeness of your tomatoes matters as much as their type. Opting for ripe, in-season tomatoes enhances the overall flavor of your sauce. Experimenting with a mix of different tomato varieties can result in a uniquely delicious sauce.
Now, here’s a simple recipe for your homemade tomato sauce:
Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 1 Cake Pan
Ingredients
- 3 Beef Steak Tomatoes
- 1/2 Pound Cherry Tomatoes
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 garlic clove
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion
- 5 basil leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 tablespoons Oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, Oregano, Basil, and bay leaf in a cake pan. Drizzle with olive oil to coat lightly, then mix well.
- Place the pan in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or longer if needed, until the tomatoes, garlic, and onion are nicely roasted.
- Once cooked, set aside to cool.
- Once cooled, add all ingredients to a blender and blend. For a thicker sauce, add a tablespoon of tomato paste. Check for the right amount of spice for your taste buds.