tomoto sauce

Certainly! Here's a basic recipe for homemade tomato sauce:

**Ingredients:**

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes

- 2 tablespoons tomato paste

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

- 1 teaspoon dried basil

- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Sauté Aromatics:**

   - In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until they are soft and translucent.

2. **Add Garlic:**

   - Add minced garlic to the onions and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

3. **Tomato Paste:**

   - Stir in tomato paste and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to enhance its flavor.

4. **Add Crushed and Diced Tomatoes:**

   - Pour in the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine.

5. **Seasoning:**

   - Add dried oregano, dried basil, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasonings to your taste.

6. **Simmer:**

   - Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

7. **Blend (Optional):**

   - If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pot, or transfer it to a blender in batches.

8. **Garnish and Serve:**

   - Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve the tomato sauce over pasta, on pizza, or as a base for various dishes.

Feel free to customize the sauce by adding ingredients like red pepper flakes for heat or a splash of red wine for richness. Enjoy your homemade tomato sauce!