Our Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe is packed with the robust flavors of tomatoes and fragrant herbs, it is the perfect base for countless dishes, bringing a homemade touch to even the quickest of meals.
If you’re anything like I once was, the idea of making tomato sauce from scratch is intimidating. It seems to be so much easier to waltz down the aisle at the grocery store and select the flavor that most appeals to you. Our Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe is here to shatter that perspective and gently lead you to the truth: that making flavorful, comforting tomato sauce is a breeze.
Our Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe will quickly become your favorite freezer accessory, changing the way you look at weeknight dinner. Packed with the robust flavors of tomatoes and fragrant herbs, it is the perfect base for countless dishes, bringing a homemade touch to even the quickest of meals.
So, what do you say? Are you ready to never go back to store-bought sauce?
Why you’ll love this Homemade Freezer Tomato Sauce
Cost-Effective: Making tomato sauce at home, especially when preparing in bulk, saves money compared to buying pre-made sauces.
Customizable: The flavor of tomato sauce is easily adaptable to your preferences or needs.
Comfort Food: Tomato sauce is a staple in many comfort dishes, like lasagna and ravioli bake.
Homemade Tomato Sauce Freezer Recipe
Hannah Stewart
Our Homemade Tomato Sauce recipe is packed with the robust flavors of tomatoes and fragrant herbs, it is the perfect base for countless dishes, bringing a homemade touch to even the quickest of meals.
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Equipment Needed to make Easy Tomato Sauce Homemade
1 Slow Cooker
1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients for your Delicious Homemade Freezer Tomato Sauce
2 bay leaves
2 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1×6 oz can tomato paste
3 cups diced tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup diced yellow onion
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup diced fresh basil OR 1 ½ tbsp dried basil
5 minced garlic cloves OR 1 tsp garlic powder
How to make Homemade Tomato Sauce
Freezer Prep Directions:
Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add all ingredients to the freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions:
Diced Tomatoes: In place of the tomato paste, drain and blend one 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes.
Chopped Leeks: For a milder, slightly sweeter flavor, substitute the yellow onion for one cup of finely chopped leeks.
Additions:
Red Wine: Add ¼ cup of red wine for a deeper flavor profile. The alcohol will cook off and leave behind a complex, rich taste that will elevate the overall flavor of the sauce.
Mushrooms: 1 cup of diced mushrooms will add texture and an earthy flavor to your sauce.
Homemade Freezer Tomato Sauce FAQs
Do you need to peel tomatoes to make tomato sauce?
The skin of tomatoes is a different texture from the tomato flesh, and will not break down in sauce. To avoid having tiny chunks of skin, peel tomatoes before cooking.
Is it cheaper to make tomato sauce from scratch?
It is unquestionably less expensive to make tomato sauce from scratch as opposed to buying jarred marinara sauce from the store. Additionally, jarred marinara sauces are over-processed and can contain excessive amounts of sugar, corn syrup, and sodium.
Why put a carrot in tomato sauce?
Many well-respected chefs recommend incorporating finely grated or diced carrots in your homemade tomato sauce because they add a subtle sweetness and balance the acidity of the tomatoes without resulting in a sauce that is excessively sweet.
What does adding vinegar to tomato sauce do?
Adding vinegar to tomato sauce brings a bright, slightly acidic flavor to the sauce. This balances out the sweetness of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor profile.
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
Carol B says:
Very tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
Hannah Stewart says:
Thanks so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Megan says:
Sounds yummy
Hannah Stewart says:
It’s so good! <3