Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes: How to Can

Discover the ultimate recipe for homemade spaghetti sauce using fresh tomatoes – a flavorful twist your taste buds will love!

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Nothing beats the taste and aroma of homemade spaghetti sauce, especially when it’s made with ripe, juicy fresh tomatoes straight from the garden or local farmers’ market. This recipe will guide you through the process of creating a delicious and flavorful spaghetti sauce that will elevate your pasta dishes to a whole new level. If you’re like me and it is late July, into August and September and you are drowning in tomatoes then making pasta sauce from tomatoes is a great option. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and start cooking!

If you are like me and have limited time to do your canning then you are going to love this recipe. Instead of having to blanch the tomatoes and go through the time consuming process of peeling them I simply remove the core chop them and throw them into a pot. You may be wondering about the peels and how this will effect the sauce but I am here to tell you once you put the cooked tomatoes into a blender and blend the tomatoes you will never know there are skins in it. The skins make no difference to how the fresh tomato spaghetti sauce taste or appearance.

This is an extremely basic homemade pasta sauce from fresh tomatoes recipe. When I was throwing all the spices together I wanted to ensure that it was a versatile sauce that could be used for everything from spaghetti, to pizza sauce, to a great marinara for dipping mozzarella sticks.

If you do not have fresh tomatoes for making spaghetti sauce you can also use fresh tomato sauce since esentially we are making tomato sauce with spices. You can also use canned tomato sauce if desired. If this is your first time making homemade tomato sauce you’re starting in a great place because this is easy homemade spaghetti sauce. This recipe is great for beginners or even an experienced cook because it is completely customizable to you and your family. You can add whatever spices you love such as red pepper flakes if you like spice or fresh basil leaves to spice it up. Any fresh herbs garden grown or store bought work perfectly. 

Equipment

• Stockpot – If you do not have a stockpot you could also use a slow cooker or instant pot for this recipe. 
• Large spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Saucepan
• Blender
• Ladle

Ingredients

• 6 lbs of fresh tomatoes – San Marzano tomatoes are one of the best types of tomatoes to use for sauces such as this but any red tomatoes will work. 
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried Italian
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried minded garlic
• 3 teaspoons dried chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pepper (optional)

How to Make Spaghetti Sauce From Tomatoes

This makes approximately 2 quarts of sauce or 8 cups. It will ultimately depend on the type of tomatoes you use.

Step 1: Preparing the Tomatoes
Start by washing the fresh tomatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities.

Step 2: Cutting the Tomatoes

Cut the tomatoes into chunks and remove the cores. Add them to the stockpot. You don’t have to worry about cutting the tomatoes small quartering them up is perfect size.

Step 3: Cooking the Tomatoes
On low to medium heat begin heating the tomatoes. As they heat they will begin to release water and juice. Using a large spoon smash the tomatoes to help get the juices out of the tomatoes. Once there is water/juice covering the tomatoes cook on high until they begin to boil. Make sure you stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning. Once it begins to boil turn the burner back on low to medium heat and let the mixture simmer for atleast 1 hour. It is important that you cook the tomatoes without a lid on the pot. You want all the extra moisture to cook off.

Step 4: Blend the tomatoes

Next, using the ladle remove the tomato mixture from the stockpot and add to a blender. Depending on the size of your blender you may have to do it in a few different batches. Every blender is different is different but on my Ninja blender I blended on low for 1 minute. Once it is blended add the sauce back into your stockpot.

Step 5: Add Spices

Using your sauce pan add the olive oil, chopped onion, and garlic. Cook on medium heat stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent. Add the cooked mixture to your stockpot of sauce. Next add all other remaining spices to the sauce and stir until all spices are thoroughly incorporated. Taste the sauce and add any other additional spice you want.

Step 6: Cooking Down the Sauce

Return the stockpot to your stove and cook on medium heat for atleast 30 – 45 minutes stirring occasionally. This will all be dependent upon how thick you want your sauce. If you want the sauce to be thicker let the tomato sauce continue to cook down. The longer you let it go the thicker it will get.

Step 7: Store the Sauce

After the sauce has reach the desired thickness it is ready for immediate use if you want to pour it over cooked pasta or you can add it to an airtight container or jars and refrigerate it. If kept in the refrigerator it should be used within 2-3 days for optimal freshness but it can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator.

If you want the spaghetti sauce to be shelf stable you can follow my step by step guide on how to can it here.

FAQ’s

In conclusion, homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes is a delicious and nutritious alternative to store-bought options. By using ripe, flavorful tomatoes and incorporating various herbs and spices, you can create a sauce that is bursting with authentic Italian flavors. Not only does making your own sauce allow for customization and experimentation, but it also ensures that you know exactly what ingredients are going into your meal. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with pasta, this homemade spaghetti sauce is the perfect way to elevate any dish and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. So why settle for anything less than the best when you can easily whip up a batch of delectable tomato sauce right in your own kitchen? Give it a try and taste the difference for yourself!

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