# Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

> A good Spaghetti Sauce can be used in many ways. Make a big batch of this delicious tomato sauce and have it on hand whenever you need it.

**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes
**Total time:** 40 minutes
**Servings:** 12
**Calories:** 122 kcal

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## Ingredients

- 3 medium onion, peeled and quartered
- 6 stalks of celery, cleaned and cut into chunks
- 6 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 9 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 168 oz crushed tomatoes (four 42oz/400g cans or two 2832z cans)
- 3 good handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 3 good handful fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste

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## Shopping List

### 🥬 Produce
- [ ] 3 medium onions
- [ ] 6 stalks celery
- [ ] 6 medium carrots
- [ ] 3 cloves garlic
- [ ] Fresh flat-leaf parsley (3 good handfuls)
- [ ] Fresh basil (3 good handfuls)

### 🥫 Canned Goods
- [ ] 168 oz crushed tomatoes (four 42oz cans or two 2832z cans)

### 🧂 Pantry
- [ ] Olive oil (need 9 Tbsp)
- [ ] Salt and pepper

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## Instructions

1. **Add vegetables to food processor.** Add the onions, carrots, and celery and chop it into small pieces.

2. **Heat olive oil.** Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saucepan on medium heat and saute the onion, celery, and carrots until they are soft and no liquid is being released from them.

3. **Add tomatoes and herbs.** In the middle of the softened vegetables, form a well, add the remaining olive oil, followed by the garlic. Allow the garlic to brown slightly (being careful not to let it burn).

4. **Mix and simmer.** Mix in the tomatoes and herbs.

5. **Season and simmer.** Add seasoning, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.

6. **Adjust consistency.** Taste for seasoning and add more if you need. Adjust the food processor and puree into your desired consistency or if you like a thicker sauce, skip this step.

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## Notes

- **Baking soda neutralizes acidity:** To save bitter sauce, add an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda at a time, tasting in between until the acidity disappears. Alternatively, try adding sugar (2 tablespoons at a time tasting in between) till it's sweet. Alternatively, add, water to loosen it up.

- **Tomato sauce substitutes:** This tomato sauce will thicken as it cooks. If it becomes too thick, you can add a little water to loosen it up.

- **Fresh herbs:** If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, they can be substituted for dried. Dried parsley is next to flavorless, suggest using oregano in its place.

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## Using Fresh Tomatoes

To use fresh tomatoes you will need 4 lbs of tomatoes, cut into quarters, and boil with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast at 400°F for 30-35 minutes (keep an eye on them! if you don't want them brown, loosen them up before the mixture gets burnt).This is largely why I keep them from becoming too watery (although tomato paste may need to be added to thicken in the sauce). Then use as you would canned tomatoes.

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## Nutrition

Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5220IU | Vitamin C: 5.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.2mg