If you haven’t ever made your own tomato sauce or pasta sauce because you’ve been afraid to do so, now’s the time to try.  It REALLY is super easy and a lot more affordable than buying it already made.  The beauty of making your own is that you know what EXACTLY goes into it and you can control the spiciness and flavor of it.

This sauce here is super simple (thus, the name!), and you can add any kind of Italian herb to it that you want.  I love garlic and basil, so that’s what I tend to stick with.  However, I’m sure Oregano would be awesome in it too!

Whatever you do, you should make this simple sauce ASAP.  It goes great on pasta and anything else you might use a tomato sauce with.  Stay tuned . . . tomorrow I have a PERFECT use for it!

Simple Tomato Sauce
Recipe Source:  The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook

1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
salt and pepper (to taste)

Pulse the tomatoes with their juice in a food processor until mostly smooth, about 10-14 pulses.  Cook the garlic, tomato paste, oil, and red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the tomato paste begins to brown, about 2 minutes.  Stir in the processed tomatoes and cook until the sauce is thickened and measures 2 cups, about 20 minutes.  Off the heat, stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes about 2 cups.  Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving = 1/3 Cup)
Calories:  40
Protein:  1g
Carbs:  5g
Fat:  1g (0g = Sat.)
Fiber:  1g