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Enjoy the classic taste of Italian-American cooking with this small batch tomato sauce recipe. It makes about 2 cups – just enough for one or two people. The recipe is based on my family’s traditional sauce, packed with herbs and those comforting flavors you’ll love.
This delightful small batch tomato sauce, simmering to perfection, opens the door to a variety of memorable single serving and small batch dishes. Its rich flavor perfectly complements Eggplant Parmesan, enhances the layers of a classic Lasagna, adds zest to a giant Italian Meatball, enriches Baked Ziti, and transforms French Bread Pizza.
Why You’ll Love This Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Flavorful: A rich medley of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs offers a complexity of flavors.
- Versatile: Beyond pasta, use it as a base for other meals like a hamburger casserole or stuffed peppers.
- Nostalgic: A family recipe that takes you back to large Sunday meals, and Nonna’s kitchen.
- Scaled Down: Perfectly portioned to prevent waste, especially when cooking for one or two.
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Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy tomato sauce recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to for its rich flavor and health benefits. It’s less processed and contains essential vitamins. However, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can opt for a lighter olive oil.
- Vegetables: The combination of chopped onions, a carrot, a celery stalk, and garlic lends a robust flavor profile to the sauce. Use these same vegetables in Split Pea Soup, Chicken Stew, and Vegetable Soup.
- Seasonings: The spice medley of salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and a bay leaf enhances the sauce’s complexity. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes are super convenient and work great in this sauce. If you have any leftover tomatoes, consider using them in a small batch of Spanish Rice, Chicken Cacciatore, and Jambalaya.
- Butter: A dab of butter is added to lend a creamy richness and counter the tomato acidity.
- Honey: While it might seem optional, a splash of honey or sugar balances the tomato’s natural tartness. This is a common trick in southern Italian cuisine, making the sauce more rounded in flavor. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your palate.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
Wondering how to tweak this homemade tomato sauce to suit your individual taste? The recipe is incredibly versatile, so here are some variations you can explore.
- Spicy Tomato Sauce: Add a kick with red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicier profile.
- Creamy Tomato Sauce: For a lush, velvety texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone cheese during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Herb-Infused: Fresh basil, rosemary, or thyme can be added for a fragrant, herbaceous twist. Just remove the larger stems before serving.
- Vegetable-Loaded: Toss in some diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even spinach for a veggie-packed version.
- Meaty Tomato Sauce: For a heartier fare, brown some ground beef, turkey, or sausage and stir it into the sauce.
Expert Tips
- Tenderize the Vegetables: For a flavorful base, cook the vegetables until they are soft and tender. For an added layer of complexity, let them lightly brown to achieve a roasted flavor profile.
- Blending Options: Use either an immersion blender or a standard countertop blender to achieve a smooth texture in your tomato sauce. Both methods work well for turning those cooked vegetables into a velvety mixture.
- Adjust the Sweetness: The honey content in the recipe is adjustable. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, feel free to add more honey, or dial it back if you’re not a fan of sweeter tomato sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the recipe doubles very well!
Absolutely, ground sausage or beef works well.
Up to 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
RELATED: Best Soup Recipes For One
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If you’ve tried this small batch tomato sauce recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Small Batch Tomato Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped carrot , (appx. 1 carrot)
- ⅓ cup chopped celery , (appx. 1 celery stalk)
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Heat oil in a small saucepan on medium-high. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
- Stir in tomatoes, basil, oregano, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Take the saucepan off the heat and remove the bay leaf.
- Blend the sauce slightly using an immersion or stand blender. Aim for a partially pureed texture, not completely smooth.
- Mix in butter and honey until the butter melts. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
Notes
- Tenderize the Vegetables: For a flavorful base, cook the vegetables until they are soft and tender. For an added layer of complexity, let them lightly brown to achieve a roasted flavor profile.
- Blending Options: Use either an immersion blender or a standard countertop blender to achieve a smooth texture in your tomato sauce. Both methods work well for turning those cooked vegetables into a velvety mixture.
- Adjust the Sweetness: The honey content in the recipe is adjustable. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, feel free to add more honey, or dial it back if you’re not a fan of sweeter tomato sauces.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I have always wanted to try homemade sauce. Thanks for the recipe!
Oh yum, this sauce looks so incredible! I Love that its homemade
Wow! This looks so yummy! A small batch is a great idea to minimize waste!
This looks delicious and I love how it's in a smaller quantity!
You're making me rethink dinner. ๐
I come from a big Italian family, too, and there's nothing better than Sunday meals with the family! This sauce looks so great — and made from love, for sure! I've never made tomato sauce with carrots, and I bet they add great flavor! Thanks for sharing!
This tomato sauce looks amazing! It is smart to freeze it in such small batches since I always make pasta in small batches as well!
Looks like such a delicious sauce. Much better than store bought!
I love this idea of a small batch. I bet it would be great to freeze so it can always be on hand.
Why the heck have I not been making my own tomato sauce?!?!? I LOVE this! Do you think it would freeze well too??
Homemade tomato sauce is the best, Chrissa. I don't know if this sauce freezes well, since it only makes 2 cups I've never had a need to freeze it. It's the perfect size for one or two meals.