Easy Homemade Pomodoro Sauce with Canned Tomatoes and Garlic Recipe
This classic Pomodoro Sauce is a simple, flavorful Italian tomato sauce made from canned Roma tomatoes, fresh garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight pasta dinner, this sauce combines the richness of olive oil with the freshness of basil and the depth of oregano, delivering a comforting and versatile dish that captures the essence of traditional Italian cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (fresh or bottled)
- 2 (28-ounce) cans of Roma tomatoes with juices
Seasonings and Spices
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh chopped basil for serving
- Fresh grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: Heat the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering and hot.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic cloves to the hot oil and cook until fragrant and translucent, taking care not to brown or burn the garlic.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the two cans of Roma tomatoes with their juices. Break up any large pieces and remove excess tomato skins that may be floating to achieve a smooth sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the tomato mixture to a low boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid slightly vented, and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Add Spices: Remove the lid and stir in the onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and ground black pepper. Continue cooking the sauce uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to let the spices fully infuse.
- Blend Sauce (Optional): If preferred, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency, either smooth or slightly chunky.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Spoon the Pomodoro Sauce over freshly cooked pasta. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian taste.
Notes
- Store leftover Pomodoro Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- The sauce can be frozen for longer storage, up to 3 months, in a freezer-safe container.
- Use fresh garlic if possible for the best flavor, but bottled minced garlic works well as a convenient alternative.
- Adjust sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes according to your taste.
- This sauce works as a great base for adding meat or vegetables if desired.
