Best Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe: Easy & Quick!

Saut Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Add the tomatoes (canned or fresh), dried herbs (or fresh herbs tied in a bundle), sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Add a bay leaf for extra depth.

Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer gently for at least 1 hour, or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer the sauce simmers, the richer and more complex the flavor will become.

Adjust Seasoning: After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf and any herb bundles before serving.

Optional: Blend: For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce directly in the pot. Alternatively, let the sauce cool slightly and blend in a regular blender, working in batches.