Description
This easy pomodoro sauce recipe with bright tomato red color and fresh basil is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a delicious and hearty foundation for countless family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 28 oz (794g) can whole peeled tomatoes, San Marzano style recommended (or 5–6 large fresh, ripe garden tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped)
- 0.5 cup (12g) packed fresh basil leaves, gently torn or roughly chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced or thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp (5g) salt
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) black pepper, or to taste
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) sugar, optional (or a small grated carrot)
Instructions
- Prep Aromatics: Gently heat 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed 10-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic; sauté until fragrant and lightly golden (1-2 minutes), watching closely to prevent burning.
- Add Tomatoes: If using whole canned tomatoes, crush them by hand directly in the pot. Add crushed tomatoes (or fresh chopped), stirring in salt, pepper, and optional 0.5 tsp sugar.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, reducing heat to low. Simmer uncovered 20-30 minutes, stirring until it visibly thickens and its bright tomato red color deepens. (If the sauce appears too thick or starts to stick, stir in 1-2 Tbsp water or vegetable broth to loosen it. A Parmesan rind can be added for savory depth, removing it before the next step.)
- Finish with Basil: Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil leaves. Residual heat gently wilts the basil, releasing its intoxicating aroma throughout the sauce for serving.
Notes
Never burn garlic; it turns bitter. Avoid overcooking basil to preserve its fresh flavor. For richness, add butter at the end; for a lighter version, skip butter and use more basil. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a kick. Use quality fresh or canned tomatoes and local fresh basil for best results. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 g)
- Calories: 150 calories
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: easy pomodoro, bright tomato, fresh basil, weeknight meal, homemade sauce, vegetarian, Italian inspired, simple dinner