Grandma's Secret Tomato Sauce: The Recipe We Grew Up On

ripe tomatoes

🥗Healthier: canned tomatoes

💰Cheaper: tomato paste

Canned tomatoes are often more convenient and affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while pecorino is often cheaper.

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: white wine

Grape juice provides flavor without alcohol, while white wine can be less costly.

Heat 3/4 cups of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering

Chop onions and add them to the pot; cook until translucent and fragrant

Add chopped garlic and black pepper to the pot

Add half of the basil leaves to infuse the oil

Add pureed whole tomatoes to the pot

Add salt and sugar to the mixture

Let the sauce simmer for about 50-60 minutes on medium low heat

Add the remaining basil leaves and cheese to the sauce before serving

Serve the sauce over cooked pasta

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens