This homemade tomato sauce is delicious. I love eating it with a plate of pasta or meatballs.
Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients
To make this Homemade Tomato Sauce, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 kilo of very ripe red tomatoes (The tomatoes must be ripe)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 6 basil leaves
- Himalayan salt and pepper
How to make Homemade Tomato Sauce
Start by blanching the tomatoes. You do this by removing and discarding the tomato tops and stems, and then dipping the tomatoes in boiling water for about 1 minute. When the skin begins to split, remove them from the stove, place them under cold water and remove the skins. Chop the tomatoes and place them on the side.
In a casserole, place the olive oil, garlic, onion and two tablespoons of water and gently cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the celery, carrots and cook for another 5 minutes, then add the chopped tomatoes and basil. Let it simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. The consistency should be thick like a jam.
Serve straight away with pasta or store in a sterilised jar. Enjoy!
6 Reasons Why Homemade Tomato Sauce Is Healthier Than Store-Bought
Homemade tomato sauce is widely considered a healthier option than store-bought varieties because it gives you complete control over the ingredients, preparation methods, and overall nutritional quality. While convenience sauces can save time, they often come with hidden downsides that don’t support long-term health.
1. Fewer additives and preservatives
Many store-bought tomato sauces contain preservatives, stabilisers, flavour enhancers, and acidity regulators to extend shelf life and standardise taste. While these ingredients are legally approved, regular consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to increased inflammation and poorer gut health. Homemade tomato sauce, on the other hand, is made from whole ingredients—tomatoes, olive oil, herbs, and aromatics—without unnecessary chemical additives.
2. Lower sugar and sodium content
One of the biggest nutritional issues with commercial tomato sauces is added sugar and excess salt. Sugar is often included to counteract the acidity of tomatoes, even in savoury sauces, while sodium helps preserve flavour over time.
Homemade tomato sauce allows you to adjust seasoning naturally, using slow cooking, onions, garlic, and herbs to create depth of flavour without relying on sugar or excessive salt. This is especially beneficial for blood sugar balance and heart health.
3. Higher antioxidant availability
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers. When tomatoes are cooked gently with healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, lycopene becomes more bioavailable. Homemade sauce typically uses slower, gentler cooking methods and quality fats, whereas industrial processing can degrade delicate nutrients.
4. Better-quality fats
Store-bought sauces may include refined vegetable oils, which are more prone to oxidation. Homemade versions usually rely on extra virgin olive oil, a source of monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that support cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.
5. Improved gut health and digestion
Homemade tomato sauce is easier to digest because it avoids emulsifiers and stabilisers that may disrupt the gut microbiome. You can also customise ingredients to suit your digestive needs, such as removing tomato skins, cooking the sauce longer, or adding gut-supportive herbs.
6. Greater transparency and dietary alignment
Finally, homemade sauce aligns more easily with health-focused lifestyles such as vegan, plant-based, Mediterranean, or clean eating approaches. You know exactly what’s in your food, which builds trust, mindfulness, and healthier eating habits over time.
In short, homemade tomato sauce offers superior nutritional quality, fewer hidden ingredients, and greater health benefits—making it a simple upgrade with long-term rewards.
Take the Next Step in Your Diet & Fitness Journey
Thank you for trying this Tomato Sauce recipe! If you liked this and would like more healthy eating inspiration, I have additional healthy recipes available for you to enjoy.
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