Tomato Sauce Recipe

I think a truly great weeknight meal needs to feel special without requiring a lot of effort.

This easy homemade tomato sauce recipe achieves exactly that, transforming a simple, hearty dish into a show-stopper in under 30 minutes. The rich, robust tomato sauce provides a classic foundation, while the spiced feta swirl adds a tangy, salty, and velvety texture that elevates every bite. This is the perfect solution for busy nights when you crave a healthy, family-friendly meal. Forget boring pasta nights; this easy dinner idea redefines your go-to comfort food with a creamy, high-protein twist.

Ingredients for Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe with Feta Swirl

Here’s what you need to make the rich, classic sauce and the creamy spiced topping:

• Olive Oil: 30 mL (2 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil for sautéing; provides the base for building flavor and softening the aromatics.
• Yellow Onion: 1 medium (about 150g) yellow onion, finely diced; crucial for building a sweet flavor base; ensure it’s finely diced so it melts into the sauce.
• Garlic: 4 cloves garlic, minced; provides a pungent aromatic kick; avoid burning the garlic by adding it after the onion softens.
• Tomato Paste: 60g (4 tablespoons) tomato paste; essential for depth and richness; blooming the tomato paste (cooking it briefly) deepens its flavor significantly.
• Crushed Tomatoes: 800g (28-ounce can) crushed tomatoes; provides the body of the sauce; choose high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor, especially San Marzano varieties.
• Spices: 5 mL (1 teaspoon) dried oregano, 5 mL (1 teaspoon) dried basil, 5 mL (1 teaspoon) granulated sugar, 5 mL (1 teaspoon) fine sea salt, and 2.5 mL (1/2 teaspoon) freshly ground black pepper; the sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, and the dried herbs provide classic Italian flavor.
• Liquid: 120 mL (1/2 cup) water or vegetable broth; adds moisture for simmering and prevents the sauce from becoming too thick too quickly. I use vegetable broth to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• For the Spiced Whipped Feta Swirl: 200g (7 ounces) block feta cheese, crumbled; 30 mL (2 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil; 15 mL (1 tablespoon) water; 2.5 mL (1/2 teaspoon) smoked paprika; and 1.25 mL (1/4 teaspoon) red pepper flakes (optional); these ingredients create the creamy, tangy topping that contrasts perfectly with the hot sauce.
• Garnish: Small handful fresh basil leaves and a pinch of smoked paprika; provides freshness and visual appeal to finish the dish.

Instructions for Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe with Creamy Spiced Feta Swirl

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 30 mL (2 tablespoons) olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Bloom the Tomato Paste: Add the minced garlic and 60g (4 tablespoons) tomato paste to the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes fragrant; this step releases the rich flavor of the paste and prevents a raw tomato taste.
3. Simmer the Sauce Base: Stir in the 800g crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, granulated sugar, fine sea salt, black pepper, and 120 mL (1/2 cup) water or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Finish Simmering: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the tomato sauce simmer for at least 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. For a richer, deeper flavor, simmer for up to 45 minutes; adjust the total cooking time based on how much time you have.
5. Prepare the Spiced Whipped Feta: While the sauce simmers, prepare the Spiced Whipped Feta by adding the crumbled feta cheese, 30 mL (2 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil, 15 mL (1 tablespoon) water, 2.5 mL (1/2 teaspoon) smoked paprika, and optional red pepper flakes to a food processor or high-speed blender.
6. Process to Smoothness: Process until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. It should have a light, spreadable consistency similar to a thick yogurt. If the feta mixture looks too stiff, add an additional teaspoon of water or oil to help it reach a light, spreadable consistency.
7. Season and Serve: Once the tomato sauce has finished simmering, taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the hot tomato sauce recipe into shallow bowls, generously dollop the creamy Spiced Whipped Feta on top, and use a spoon or knife to create a gentle swirl. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a light dusting of smoked paprika.

What to Pair with Creamy Feta Tomato Sauce

This easy tomato sauce recipe with feta is incredibly versatile. It works as a quick meal on its own or as a delicious starting point for other family-friendly recipes. The creamy feta swirl adds a unique, tangy twist to classic pairings.

• Pasta: Toss with your favorite pasta shape. The creamy feta swirl complements both long shapes like spaghetti and fettuccine, and shorter shapes like rigatoni and fusilli, ensuring a hearty, complete meal.
• Polenta or Grits: Serve a generous ladle over a creamy bed of parmesan polenta or slow-cooked grits. The combination of textures makes for a comforting and satisfying dinner.
• Baked Eggs: Create small wells in the sauce, crack eggs directly into them, and bake until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny (shakshuka style). This makes for a great high-protein breakfast or brunch option.
• Chicken: Use this rich sauce as the base for simmering cooked chicken pieces; the feta swirl adds a fresh, tangy finish to counterbalance the rich meat.
• Pizza Topping: Use as a base layer for pizza or flatbread. Dollop the feta on after baking for a unique, creamy topping.

Making Ahead and Storing the Sauce

This homemade tomato sauce base is fantastic for meal prep. You can make a large batch of the sauce in advance and freeze it for easy weeknight dinners.

• Refrigeration: The homemade tomato sauce base (without the feta swirl) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The feta swirl can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored separately in the fridge.
• Freezing: The tomato sauce base freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop when ready to serve.
• Feta Swirl Storage: Do not freeze the feta swirl. Freezing changes its texture and causes the ingredients to separate. It’s best prepared fresh or stored short-term in the fridge for a quick meal.

Adjusting Flavor and Texture

A great tomato sauce recipe should be adaptable to your preferences. Here are some simple ways to tweak the texture and flavor to match your family’s taste.

• For a smoother sauce: If you prefer a completely smooth texture without the onion pieces, carefully pour the sauce through a food mill or use an immersion blender to puree it after simmering.
• Adjusting Acidity: If the sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch more sugar or a small amount of baking soda to neutralize the acidity (baking soda will cause fizzing, so add carefully).
• Spice Level: Control the heat by adjusting the amount of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes in the feta swirl. Omit the red pepper flakes entirely for a non-spicy version that kids will love.

FAQs about this Easy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but you will need about 1.5 kg (around 3 lbs) of fresh, ripe tomatoes. You should peel and deseed them first, then crush them before adding to the sauce. This homemade tomato sauce recipe is very flexible.

Can I make this sauce without the added sugar?

Yes, the sugar simply balances the acidity of canned tomatoes. If your canned tomatoes are naturally sweet, or if you prefer a less sweet sauce, you can reduce or omit the sugar entirely. This makes for a great healthy tomato sauce recipe.

Is this recipe vegetarian or gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free. Ensure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian option. This makes it a very versatile and healthy dinner idea.

Can I use pre-crumbled feta from a container?

It is highly recommended to use a block of feta cheese and crumble it yourself for the whipped feta swirl. Pre-crumbled feta often contains starches or anti-caking agents that can interfere with achieving a perfectly smooth and creamy texture when blended. This simple step makes a big difference in this specific tomato sauce recipe.

How do I get the creamy swirl effect?

The trick is to serve the hot sauce first, then add cold or room temperature feta swirl on top. Use the back of a spoon to gently create ribbons or swirls, combining just enough to mix the textures without fully dissolving the feta. I find that if you dollop the feta on and let it sit for just a moment before swirling, you get a beautiful contrast between the hot, rich sauce and the cool, tangy feta.

Does the feta melt completely into the hot sauce?

No, because the feta swirl is prepared as a separate component, it holds its shape and consistency in the hot sauce. It creates distinct ribbons of flavor rather than melting away entirely.

Conclusion

This homemade tomato sauce recipe offers a delicious way to upgrade your family’s weeknight meals with minimal effort. The combination of the rich, slow-simmered sauce base and the quick, creamy feta swirl adds complexity and excitement to a classic dish. Try making a double batch this week; it’s perfect for meal prep and freezing. Save this easy dinner idea to your collection on Pinterest for later.

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