Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce

This Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce is a vibrant and aromatic foundation for countless Italian dishes. Made with simple, fresh ingredients, it builds depth of flavor from sautéed vegetables and crushed tomatoes, finished with fresh herbs, for a sauce that’s far superior to anything store-bought.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Crushed tomatoes	1 (28 ounce) can
Medium white onion, diced	1/2
Medium carrots, peeled and finely diced	2
Medium garlic cloves, crushed	4
Sugar	1 tablespoon
Extra virgin olive oil	3 tablespoons
Fresh basil, finely chopped	2 tablespoons
Italian parsley, finely chopped	1/4 cup
Kosher salt	1 teaspoon
Black pepper	1 teaspoon

Instructions:

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a medium sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced 1/2 medium white onion, 2 medium carrots (peeled and finely diced), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the carrots are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add Garlic: Add the 4 crushed medium garlic cloves to the pot and cook until the garlic is lightly browned and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Simmer Tomatoes & Basil: Turn the heat up to high. Pour the 1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes into the pot. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh basil. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring often.
4. Sweeten & Thicken: Stir in the 1 tablespoon of sugar. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly to your desired consistency.
5. Finish with Parsley & Season: Stir in the 1/4 cup of finely chopped Italian parsley. Continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Adjust Seasoning: Remove the pot from heat to taste the sauce. Adjust salt as needed, adding more if desired.

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Enjoy your fresh Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce!