Rustic Tomato-Basil Sauce Recipe

Name: Rustic Tomato-Basil Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 3 -4 cloves fresh pressed garlic; 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (fire roasted varieties give the sauce a little edge, I prefer Muir Glen organic tomato products, wor); 1 pinch sugar; 1/2 sweet onion, chopped; 1/2 green pepper, chopped (I'm a huge fan of red peppers, just not in this recipe); 5 sprigs fresh oregano, finely chopped (leaves only, easiest to hold sprig upright and pull gently downward with thumb and forefinger to rem); 6 -7 fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped or torn); 2 bay leaves; salt (preferably sea salt for nutritional content); fresh ground black pepper; scant 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed; fresh flat leaf parsley, to finish

Servings: persons

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 -4 cloves fresh pressed garlic
28 ounces crushed tomatoes (fire roasted varieties give the sauce a little edge, I prefer Muir Glen organic tomato products, wor)
1 pinch sugar
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped (I'm a huge fan of red peppers, just not in this recipe)
5 sprigs fresh oregano, finely chopped (leaves only, easiest to hold sprig upright and pull gently downward with thumb and forefinger to rem)
6 -7 fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped or torn)
2 bay leaves
salt (preferably sea salt for nutritional content)
fresh ground black pepper
scant 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
fresh flat leaf parsley, to finish

1
Heat 2 tablespoons of EVOO in a sauce pan over low heat. Add garlic and stir continuously until soft. Do not let garlic start to brown; this releases a lot of bitterness and you'll be better off starting over.
2
Add crushed tomatoes to sauce pan and turn heat up slightly to medium-low, stirring frequently. Add sugar to the tomatoes. At the same time, add 2 remaining tablespoons of EVOO to a pan and sautee onion and green pepper over medium-low heat until softened, stirring frequently for about 7-10 minutes.
3
Add onion and green pepper with EVOO from the pan to the tomatoes and garlic and mix well.
4
Add remaining ingredients (oregano, basil, salt, pepper, bay leaves, fennel seeds) and let simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally so as not to let ingredients settle or burn at the bottom and to promote flavor.
5
Serve over your favorite pasta, garnish with fresh parsley and grated cheese of your choice (if desired), as well as some crusty Italian bread.
6
***Hint: If you lightly toss your pasta in olive oil after draining it, it will hold more sauce more easily while you're eating it.

435

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 -4 cloves fresh pressed garlic, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (fire roasted varieties give the sauce a little edge, I prefer Muir Glen organic tomato products, wor), 1 pinch sugar, and more.

Yes, Rustic Tomato-Basil Sauce falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Rustic Tomato-Basil Sauce

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions