Use fresh tomatoes for this easy tomato sauce recipe (no peeling necessary!). This macro-friendly red sauce has smooth, rich Italian flavors, great for spaghetti, pasta, pizza, or soup!<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-Cover.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nEven though my Hearty Spaghetti Sauce<\/a> is really, really good, my sister-in-law is the one who is known in our family for making the best spaghetti sauce.<\/p>\n Her secret weapon? Fresh garden tomatoes!<\/p>\n We now have a garden that\u2019s producing way more tomatoes than we could ever use to make our Basic Pizza Sauce<\/a>, so I took a cue from my sister-in-law and made my own homemade tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes.<\/p>\n It was absolutely DELICIOUS, and I want to share the recipe with you!<\/p>\n Combining loads of tomatoes, simple seasonings, and extra veggies gives you a tomato sauce with vibrant, fresh flavor that tastes like summer on your plate!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s why you\u2019ll want to get this homemade red sauce cooking too:<\/p>\n If you would rather can your garden harvest of tomatoes for future recipes, check out <\/em>How to Can Diced Tomatoes<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Load up on tomatoes and grab these staples to make the red sauce recipe.<\/p>\n Psst! If you\u2019re going to add salt, I highly recommend Ava Jane\u2019s Kitchen. You may think all salt is created equal, but unfortunately, <\/em>90% of the salt produced around the world contains microplastics<\/em><\/a> (gross, right?). Ava Jane\u2019s Kitchen is an exception. Their salt is 100% microplastic-free, and it\u2019s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a <\/em>free 8oz. bag of sea salt<\/em><\/a> (just pay shipping and handling!).<\/em><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to make tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes.<\/p>\n Step 1. Measure the olive oil, onions, and garlic<\/strong> in a very large stockpot<\/a>. Cook the onions and garlic over medium-low heat until they are caramelized and medium-golden brown, for about 30 minutes.<\/p>\n Step 2. Add the tomatoes and gently squish<\/strong> about half of them with a wooden spoon<\/a>. No need to cut into smaller pieces first.<\/em><\/p>\n Step 3. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over medium heat,<\/strong> stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n Step 4. Uncover the pot and add any remaining tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. <\/strong>Bring the sauce to a low boil and cook until the sauce is reduced by one quarter, about 2-4 hours. Stir occasionally.<\/p>\n Step 5. Puree the tomato sauce using an immersion blender<\/strong> (this is the one I have<\/a>), and if the sauce seems too thin, simmer a little bit longer until it\u2019s the consistency you prefer.<\/p>\n You can also use a <\/em>blender<\/em><\/a> or <\/em>food processor<\/em><\/a>. Just be careful and work in batches. The mixture will be hot!<\/em><\/p>\n Step 6. Season<\/strong> with basil, salt<\/a>, and pepper! Serve immediately, or cool completely before storing in an airtight container<\/a> in the refrigerator or freezer.<\/p>\n I also tested this in my slow cooker<\/a>, and it works just as well.<\/p>\n Skip the first step of caramelizing the onions and simply dump everything in the crockpot.<\/p>\n Crack the lid and cook the tomato sauce on low for 4-6 hours, or until most of the liquid has cooked off. Follow steps 5 and 6 to puree and season the sauce, and that\u2019s it!<\/p>\n A red sauce recipe like this homemade tomato sauce is fairly low in all of your macros \u2013 protein, carbohydrates, and fat. That means it\u2019s a great option for adding flavor without adding a ton of calories or throwing off your macro goals.<\/p>\n That also means you need to make sure you\u2019re pairing it with plenty of protein, whether that\u2019s meatballs for pasta<\/a> or using it in a recipe like Slow Cooker Lasagna<\/a>.<\/p>\n Looking for more ways to increase your protein? Try one of my favorite high-protein recipes \u2013 I always have these on my meal plan and keep them stocked in my fridge. This way, I always have a protein-focused meal to put on my plate! Grab<\/em> High Protein Recipes on Repeat here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Nope! You don\u2019t have to peel any tomatoes for this tomato sauce recipe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some recipes call for boiling tomatoes to peel them before making the sauce. This tomato sauce recipe skips that step and jumps right into making the sauce!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The tomato sauce will thicken up if you let it simmer for a bit longer. Check often for your preferred thickness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This homemade tomato sauce recipe lasts 5-7 days in the fridge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat makes the best tomato sauce recipe?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
REASONS TO MAKE HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Ingredients_Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-1024x1024.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHOMEMADE RED SAUCE RECIPE INGREDIENTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
HOW TO MAKE TOMATO SAUCE FROM FRESH TOMATOES<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Sliced](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-5.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Fresh](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-4.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Homemade](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-3.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Up](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-1.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCROCKPOT HOMEMADE SAUCE TOMATO<\/strong><\/h2>\n
MACRO-FRIENDLY FRESH TOMATO SAUCE RECIPE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Large](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-2.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTOMATO SAUCE RECIPE FAQS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Do I have to peel tomatoes for handmade tomato sauce?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why boil tomatoes before making sauce?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How do you thicken up tomato sauce recipes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How long will this homemade tomato sauce recipe last in the fridge?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Can homemade tomato sauce be frozen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Protein-Muffins-web-28.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n <\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fresh-Tomato-Sauce-Cover-350x466.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n