I can think of few pantry staples that are as versatile, fundamental or as humble as tomato sauce. Whether simmered on the back burner for hours or quickly tossed together in a sauté pan, there’s something deeply special about a homemade, from-scratch red sauce. My garden tomatoes are beginning to fruit, and it’s possible that I will have an overabundance this year, so I preemptively tested our five best tomato sauce recipes in case a big batch is in order. Our contenders ranged from classic, to bold, creamy, and everything in between. But one stood out like a shining star among the rest. Read on to find out which one I’ll be jarring this summer.
What Makes Tomato Sauce Great?
The very best tomato sauces are all about balance. High quality tomatoes, whether canned or fresh, are the foundation—and my favorite recipes really allow the tomato flavor to shine. Simple aromatics like garlic, onions, herbs and spices play a supporting role in building flavor, but do not overpower the star of the show. Acid and umami are next in line: Tomato paste added into the initial simmer adds depth, as do seasoning sauces like soy, Worcestershire, and fish sauce. A splash of lemon, wine or vinegar amplifies and rounds out the tomato flavor, as do dashes of salt and sugar. The sauce must be simmered long enough for the tomatoes to develop and deepen in flavor and sweetness, but not so long that they begin to break down and grow bitter.
Meet the Contestants
How I Judged
I used three criteria to weigh our contestants:
Flavor: The best sauces highlight the sweet, earthy flavor of garden-fresh tomatoes. Garlic, onions and basil are the best aromatics for a well-rounded flavor profile. My favorite recipes also included some form of both acid and umami for the most balanced results.
Texture: This is a bit of a sticking point among aficionados. It is my opinion that if you are using fresh tomatoes, a chunkier sauce is perfectly acceptable. Canned or stewed tomatoes tend to taste best in a smoother sauce. Both textures earned their place on my list.
Versatility: If I am going to make a large batch of sauce to store and use throughout the year, I’m going to pick a recipe that can be used for almost anything: from pastas, lasagnas, to casseroles and beyond. The best recipes are adaptable for almost any use.
Without further ado… the winners:
The Results
Best Cozy Weekend Project
Homemade Tomato Sauce, submitted by MOLSON7
Average Rating: 4.4 stars
Rave Review: “Such an amazing recipe. No drama, simply beautiful.” -WittyCorn1959
There is nothing cozier than a large pot simmering on your back burner on a rainy Saturday. Bookmark this recipe for a day when you have plenty of time to enjoy the process. I not only love the outcome of this particular sauce, but I also love the techniques that are laid out and explained. The author begins with dropping whole, fresh tomatoes into boiling water to scald and crack their skins. They are then plunged into an ice bath to cool. With this time-tested method, the skins pop right off and you’re off to the races. This is the most traditional (and time consuming) recipe of the bunch, requiring a full four hours on the stove—and it’s absolutely worth the effort.
Most Versatile
Best Marinara Sauce Yet, submitted by Jackie M
Average Rating: 4.8 stars
Rave Review: “This recipe is indeed the best marina ever. It is very similar to Chef Gordon Ramsay’s recipe.”-Diane Santay Short
This recipe calls for blending 2 cans of stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, garlic and oregano in a food processor or blender. This mixture is then added to sauteed onions and gets finished with a healthy dose of white wine. The flavor is rich and robust and the texture is almost silky smooth. This sauce is great for almost anything. I have already used it for spaghetti and meatballs and will be using it as a pizza sauce on Friday. It comes together relatively quickly, requiring a mere 30 minutes on the stove.
Best for Tomato Sauce Related Emergencies
Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta, submitted by Kimber
Average Rating: 4.6 stars
Rave Review: “This is my lazy meal. Never disappoints.” -GrittyCow2610
This recipe is perfect for those nights when you need to get dinner on the table… 20 minutes ago. Not only is it the fastest, clocking in at 15 minutes total, but it’s also the richest of the bunch. Kimber calls for quickly sautéeing onions and garlic in a pan and adding a can of diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. This simmers briefly and is finished with a pat of butter and a splash of heavy cream. The results are fantastic—and the sauce was absolutely divine tossed through a big batch of noodles. I can definitely see myself saving this recipe for dinners that are both quick and thoughtful.
Best Use of Fresh Garden Tomatoes
Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes, submitted by Susan Bryan Willingham
Average Rating: 4.8 stars
Rave Review: “This is my go-to recipe for pasta sauce. I’ve been able to easily adapt it to tomatoes I’ve canned from my garden, too. This one never misses!”-Pam
This recipe makes excellent use of pantry staples, so if you find yourself with an overabundance of fresh tomatoes but nothing else, this is your recipe. Ms. Willingham calls for adding fresh chopped tomatoes to sauteed onions along with dried basil, dried parsley, garlic powder, and salt. The sauce simmers for 1-2 hours until thick and ready to serve.
Clear Winner
Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce, submitted by KerriWarmus
Average Rating: 4.8 stars
Rave Review: “Soooooo delicious!! Perfect way to use the last tomatoes in the garden. Spice mix was perfect and tasty. Thank you!”-Stacy_Mill-Bru
This recipe was the clear favorite among my family members. The author calls for fresh, peeled tomatoes and a bay leaf to be added to sauteed onions and garlic. This simmers for 30 minutes. Next, she adds a hearty dose of red wine, honey, marjoram, salt , pepper, fennel seed, and crushed red pepper before simmering for an additional half hour. The final, maybe most important touch, is a healthy splash of balsamic vinegar which rounds out and amplifies the flavor. While I really can see myself making most of these again, this one will have a place at the very front of my recipe box.
Dining and Cooking