Okay, let's talk about homemade red sauce. You know, the kind you can whip up quickly using fresh ingredients! This one uses canned tomatoes, so it's super easy. We are talking under 10 minutes of hands-on time, making it a weeknight staple.
The options for this sauce are endless. I add it to my Ricotta Beef Meatballs and use it as the base for this Air Fryer French Bread Pizza. Or just toss in some browned meat or grilled shrimp and you have dinner in a flash.
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I wanted a sauce that was quick and easy to make, yet tasted better than a jar of store-bought sauce. After testing it a few times, I landed on using a handful of simple pantry staple ingredients that deliver big flavor. In the winter, I probably make a batch of this at least once a month! I keep some in my refrigerator to use during the week and freeze any that's leftover so I have it any time I need it.
Ingredient Highlight
- Canned crushed tomatoes --> These are the key to making this red sauce quick & easy! And they give you a smoother sauce that freezes well and is more versatile. Grab a can or two of San Marzano style tomatoes next time you're at the grocery store.
How to make this recipe
Read on to learn more about how to make this easy red sauce, or jump straight to the recipe to start cooking!
Everything about this tomato sauce recipe is easy, easy, easy! There’s very little prep ... you just chop the onions and mince the garlic, then your stovetop does all the work. The whole process takes less than 45 minutes!
Recommended Tools
Glass Canning Jars - I keep a selection of these in my kitchen and use them for everything from storing and freezing sauces to salads in a jar to transporting soups to work for lunch.
Storing and Freezing
This sauce keeps in the refrigerator for about 5 days. If you still have some left, you can pop it in the freezer for up to three months. If you are planning to freeze it, be sure to cool the sauce completely before freezing and leave some space at the top of the container to be sure it doesn't crack in the freezer.
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Super Simple Small-Batch Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the aromatics. Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for an additional minute.
- Add the spices. Add basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Saute for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Finish the sauce. Add the tomatoes and vinegar. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Serve or Freeze. Remove from heat and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days or freeze for up to a month.
This post was originally published in April 2017. It was updated in January 2025 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.
Sarah
I love homemade tomato sauce- it's such a good recipe to have memorized!!
Cheryl
This sounds perfect. Letting the sauce sit for a few days will really give a chance for the spices to intensify.
Alicia Taylor
That looks so easy - and I love the idea of freezing it. I make and freeze my own veggie broth, but haven't done my sauces, yet.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
There are few interesting ingredients that I've never seen in a classic tomato sauce (Italian, for that matter); but I'm thinking it might work and give a nice overall flavor, a great sauce for fish or meat.
Christine
What a great fresh pasta sauce recipe! I love that you can freeze it as well and use as needed.
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
I'm a little ashamed to say that I don't make my own red sauce nearly often enough. You make it look so easy, though!
Eileen Kelly
This is definitely perfection of red sauce. I love this one and I can make a ton and can them too!
Donna
We made the switch to homemade sauce years ago, and there is no way you can ever go back!! Love the sound of your version, will have to try it out
Renee Gardner
In my experience once you start making the sauce at home yourself, the store bought versions just doesn't compare! This version would be delicious for lasagna!