Basic Tomato Sauce for Pasta and Pizza

Dear All,

Its been a while since I posted a recipe which is not a cake or a dessert :) So today I will be sharing one of my most favorite recipe of basic homemade tomato sauce! I learnt this recipe from my mom and using it since I don't even remember probably more than 10yrs now! I always use this recipe for my pasta and pizzas and till date it has never failed me!

The recipe is very very simple and very versatile. I always make this sauce and depending upon the dish I am making I tend to add my spices like oregano, pepper etc. For pasta dishes add couple of tbsp of fresh cream and you have the world's most delicious pasta sauce ready! People who have been following me since the start know that couple of years earlier I was based in Switzerland and we used to have pasta and pizzas regularly. This recipe along with addition of fresh cream tastes exactly like that!

I have provided the different versions at the end of the post so do check out!

Basic Homemade Tomato Sauce
Recipe:-
Makes 1 cup
1 kg fresh ripe tomatoes
Salt to taste
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp red chili powder

Procedure:-

• Wash the tomatoes and chop them into quarters.
• Put them in a big cooker and add half cup of water.
• Boil the tomatoes until well cooked for about 4 to 5 whistles
• Before proceeding cool the tomatoes completely.
• Blend in the tomatoes using mixie or blender into fine paste, this may be watery so dont worry.
• Pass the tomato puree through a sieve to make sure all seeds are filtered out.
• In a non stick pan pour the tomato puree, add in salt and red chili powder and cook until all the water is evaporated and sauce reduces by half and thickens!
• Be very careful here as the sauce while cooking tends to splutter around!
• To check the consistency it should coat the spoon nicely without being runny.
• Finally add in the sugar and cook for another couple of mins.
• Turn off the gas and use as desired!

Variations:-

• If I am making pasta dish I love to add in few tbsp of fresh cream, I usually use Amul which is easily available at any grocery store, you can even use fresh homemade malai just make sure you blend it well before pouring to avoid lumps of cream in the sauce. Along with cream feel free to add in fresh basil leaves, minced garlic or oregano.
• For Pizza I use this sauce as it is and drizzle some olive oil and oregano on the pizza while baking.

Feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste, the addition of sugar is very important as it balances out the sourness of tomatoes very well!

Hope you enjoyed the post, until next time, tc!

Love,