Simple Tomato Sauce: My Mother-In-Law’s Recipe
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: Approximately 21 (1/2 cup servings)
Description
This cherished family recipe for Simple Tomato Sauce has been passed down through three generations, originating from my beloved mother-in-law. It’s a versatile sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta, stuffed peppers, baked ziti, or manicotti. I love preparing batches to freeze in convenient portions, ready for any meal. Each serving is approximately 1/2 cup, making it a low-fat, low-calorie option that complements a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 large onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 cans whole tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Olive oil
- 2 tbsp white wine
- 1/2 lb mild Italian sausage
- 3 sweet Italian sausage links
- 2 lbs ground turkey
Instructions
-
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. If adding sausage and meatballs, skip to step 2; otherwise, add chopped onions and cook until softened.
- Add chopped garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
- Crush the whole tomatoes with your hands as you add them to the pot. Stir in the tomato paste.
- Use a boat motor blender to puree the sauce until almost smooth, about one minute.
- Add dried parsley, oregano, basil, sugar, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil.
-
Cook the Sauce:
- Add one can’s worth of water (using the tomato can) and return the sausage and meatballs to the pot, if using.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce, partially covered, for 2-3 hours. This allows the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld, simmering off excess water added earlier.
-
Serve and Store:
- Serve the sauce hot over pasta, stuffed peppers, baked ziti, or manicotti. It’s incredibly versatile!
- For storage, freeze the sauce in 3-cup portions in plastic containers for convenient use later.
- Each serving is approximately 1/2 cup, adjust according to your preference.
-
Optional: Meatballs and Sausage
- Meatballs: Combine ground turkey, one pound of Italian sausage (casings removed), 2 eggs, 2 tbsp milk, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese. Mix well and shape into meatballs.
- Sausage: Divide the remaining two pounds of Italian sausage (casings removed) into rolls about 1×2 inches.
- Cooking: Brown the sausage in olive oil, followed by the meatballs. Do not fully cook through; set aside until adding to the sauce.
Enjoy this hearty and flavorful Simple Tomato Sauce, perfect for family meals and gatherings alike. Its rich aroma and taste will make it a favorite in your household, just as it has been in mine for generations!
