Mamma Maria's Italian; Simple tomato sauce from "scratch"; method 1

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can enhance flavor, while crushed tomatoes are often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is typically cheaper.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: maple syrup

Honey is a natural sweetener, while maple syrup can be less expensive.

fresh basil

🥗Healthier: dried basil

💰Cheaper: basil paste

Dried basil is convenient and often less expensive than fresh.

Put on an apron before starting.

Use canned peeled tomatoes for the sauce.

Blend the canned tomatoes to crush them for quicker cooking.

Peel one red onion and one white onion, showing that either can be used.

Wash the onions in the sink before cutting.

Break apart a few sprigs of fresh Italian parsley and rinse them.

Chop the garlic by smashing it with a knife and then chopping it finely.

Cut half of the onion for the sauce, saving the other half for later.

Cut the end off a jalapeno pepper, deciding how much heat to include based on the seeds.

Chop a few strips of red pepper for color and flavor.

Chop the parsley and add it to the mix.

Prepare the tomatoes by opening the can and blending them.

Add olive oil to a skillet, about 2 to 3 tablespoons.

Saute the chopped vegetables (onion, garlic, jalapeno, and red pepper) in the skillet.

Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet, rinsing the can with a bit of water to get all the tomatoes out.

Season the sauce with kosher salt and oregano, tasting as you go.

Let the sauce simmer, allowing flavors to meld.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: