Homemade Pomodoro Sauce: Simple, Fresh, and Delicious

There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade Pomodoro sauce. This classic Italian tomato sauce is rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for various dishes, this sauce will elevate any meal. Follow this simple recipe to create your own Pomodoro sauce at home.

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 small sprig fresh basil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

Directions

1. Prepare the Garlic: Smash and peel 3 garlic cloves.
2. Heat the Oil: In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
3. Sauté the Garlic: Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant and pale golden, about 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add the Tomatoes: Carefully pour in the whole peeled tomatoes and their juices. If using, add 1 small sprig of fresh basil. Season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered. As the tomatoes soften, break them up a bit with a wooden spoon. Continue to simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
6. Remove Basil: If you added a basil sprig, remove and discard it once the sauce has thickened.
7. Blend the Sauce: Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pan until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a stand blender and blend until completely smooth.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and season with more kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Calories: Approximately 80 kcal per serving
• Servings: 4

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Pomodoro sauce is perfect for:

• Pasta: Toss with your favorite pasta for a quick and delicious meal.
• Pizza: Use as a base sauce for homemade pizza.
• Dipping: Serve as a dip with breadsticks or garlic bread.
• Enhancing Dishes: Use as a base for soups, stews, or casseroles.

Tips for the Perfect Pomodoro Sauce

• Quality Tomatoes: Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a wonderful aroma and taste to the sauce. If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but add it at the beginning to allow the flavors to meld.
• Blending: For a smoother sauce, blending is essential. An immersion blender makes this step easy, but a stand blender works just as well.

Enjoy your homemade Pomodoro sauce and savor the authentic flavors of Italy right in your kitchen!

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