Quick & Zingy Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe for Family Meals

Crafting an authentic tomato sauce requires patience and passion for Italian culinary traditions.

Ripe, vibrant ingredients become the foundation of this classic recipe.

My grandmother taught me the secret lies in slow simmering and fresh components.

Simple techniques transform ordinary tomatoes into a rich, aromatic masterpiece.

Fresh basil and quality olive oil enhance every spoonful of this sauce.

Generous seasoning creates depth and complexity that will transport you straight to a charming kitchen in tuscany.

You can recreate this delicious recipe and impress everyone at your next meal.

Tomato Sauce Ingredients From Delia Smith

• Tomatoes: Ripe, red tomatoes form the base of this rich and flavorful sauce.
• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the sauce's overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides a robust and aromatic foundation for the tomato sauce.
• Carrots: Contributes natural sweetness and helps balance the acidity of tomatoes.
• Celery: Offers a subtle herbal note and additional complexity to the sauce.
• Bell Pepper: Introduces a mild, sweet undertone to the sauce.

• Basil: Brings a classic Italian herb flavor and freshness to the sauce.
• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle, earthy undertone during the simmering process.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the sauce.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and deepens the tomato flavor in the sauce.
• Tomato Puree: Provides a smooth, rich base for the sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps to round out the sauce's flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps to sauté vegetables and adds a subtle fruity note.
• Wine: Introduces depth and complexity to the sauce's flavor profile.

Steps to Cook Delia Smith Tomato Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Fresh Tomatoes

Wash and peel 8 tomatoes. Blend 6 tomatoes until they become a silky smooth puree. Finely dice the remaining 2 tomatoes into small, uniform cubes. Set aside the diced tomatoes for later use.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Garlic
• Onion
• Carrots
• Bell pepper

Sauté until the vegetables become soft and release their fragrant aroma, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Tomato paste
• Tomato puree
• Red wine
• Fresh basil
• Seasoning blend
• Celery stalks
• Bay leaf

Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer gently for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 4: Add Texture and Depth

Fold in the previously diced tomatoes into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 2 hours, which will help develop a rich, complex flavor profile.

Step 5: Finalize and Serve

Remove the bay leaf and celery stalks from the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The sauce is now ready to be served immediately or cooled for storage in airtight containers.

Helpful Tips for Delia Smith Tomato Sauce

• Blending Technique: Use a high-powered blender for ultra-smooth sauce texture, removing any unwanted tomato seeds or skin chunks.
• Herb Freshness: Opt for fresh basil leaves instead of dried to enhance the sauce's vibrant, aromatic profile and boost flavor complexity.
• Slow Cooking Magic: Keep the simmer low and steady to develop rich, deep flavors and allow ingredients to meld together perfectly.
• Wine Selection: Choose a dry red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon to add depth and complexity to the tomato sauce base.
• Storage Wisdom: Cool sauce completely before refrigerating in airtight containers, which can preserve freshness for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.

Sauce Tweaks for Delia Smith Tomato Recipe

• Herb Garden Sauce: Replace basil with a mix of fresh thyme, oregano, and rosemary for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Arrabbiata Style: Add red pepper flakes and extra garlic to create a fiery tomato sauce with bold, zesty flavors.
• Vegan Friendly Sauce: Swap butter with olive oil and use vegetable broth instead of wine for a plant-based alternative that's rich and flavorful.
• Roasted Vegetable Sauce: Roast garlic, onions, and bell peppers before adding them to the sauce for deeper, caramelized undertones.

Great Dishes to Pair With Delia Smith Tomato Sauce

• Elevate Pasta Pairing: Serve this rich tomato sauce over al dente spaghetti or linguine for a classic Italian experience that brings out the sauce's deep, robust flavors.
• Wine Harmony: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the sauce's acidity and herbal notes, creating a perfect flavor balance.
• Cheese Companion: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano on top to add a salty, nutty dimension that enhances the sauce's complexity.
• Bread Sidekick: Pair with crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the sauce's rich, concentrated flavors and provide a delightful textural contrast.

Preserve Delia Smith Tomato Sauce With Ease

• Store sauce in airtight containers for up to 5 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Leave 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze flat for easy storage. Keeps for 3-4 months.
• Transfer frozen or refrigerated sauce to a saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of water if sauce seems thick.
• Place sauce in microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

FAQs on Delia Smith Tomato Sauce

• Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can substitute fresh tomatoes with high-quality canned whole peeled tomatoes. Drain excess liquid and blend them as you would fresh tomatoes.

• How do I prevent my tomato sauce from becoming watery?

Simmer the sauce uncovered to allow excess moisture to evaporate, which concentrates the flavors and thickens the sauce naturally. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

• What if I want a smoother sauce texture?

For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a regular blender after cooking. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve if you prefer an ultra-smooth sauce.

What Makes Delia Smith Tomato Sauce So Good

• Craft Robust Flavor: This homemade tomato sauce delivers deep, complex taste through slow simmering and multiple cooking stages that develop rich layers of flavor.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows personal tweaks like adding extra herbs, adjusting spice levels, or incorporating different vegetables to match individual preferences.
• Perfect for Batch Cooking: Large quantity preparation means you can store sauce in refrigerator or freezer, providing multiple meal solutions with one cooking session.
• Restaurant-Quality Results: Professional technique of blending and dicing tomatoes, plus extended simmering time, creates a sauce that rivals gourmet restaurant preparations.

Tomato Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Italian Tomato Sauce emerges as a classic comfort dish that whispers Mediterranean culinary traditions. Simmered with ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and a touch of love, this sauce invites home cooks to savor authentic flavors that connect generations at the dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 10 ripe tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 14 cup chopped fresh basil

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 small carrots, chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 bay leaf

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 14 cup red wine
• 14 teaspoon Italian seasoning

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Instructions

1. Carefully transform ripe tomatoes into a velvety puree by blending most of them until silky smooth, while chopping the remaining ones into rustic chunks.
2. Create a fragrant flavor base by gently sautéing aromatic garlic, sweet onions, earthy carrots, and vibrant peppers in a harmonious blend of butter and oil until vegetables become translucent and tender.
3. Enrich the developing sauce by introducing robust tomato paste, previous tomato puree, a splash of wine, fragrant basil, balanced seasoning, crisp celery, and a classic bay leaf.
4. Allow the sauce to gently simmer for approximately two hours, letting the ingredients meld and intensify their collective flavors, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
5. Incorporate the previously diced tomatoes during the final cooking stage, continuing to simmer for an additional two hours to develop deeper, more concentrated taste profiles.
6. Carefully remove the bay leaf and celery pieces to ensure a smooth texture, then meticulously adjust seasonings to achieve a perfectly balanced sauce.
7. Serve immediately while piping hot, or cool completely and store in airtight containers for future culinary adventures.

Notes

• Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
• Blending most tomatoes creates a smooth base while keeping some diced adds delightful texture and fresh tomato chunks.
• Use San Marzano or Roma tomatoes for an authentic, rich Italian sauce with less water content.
• Slow simmering develops deep, complex flavors and allows herbs and spices to meld beautifully, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary sauce.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 110 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg