Chef John's Tomato Sauce

Name: Chef John's Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 0.25 cup olive oil; 1 onion, finely diced; 1 rib celery, finely diced; 1 pinch salt; 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons white sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon anchovy paste; 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar; 0.5 teaspoon dried Italian herbs; 1 pinch red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley; water, or as needed

4.8

(296)

226 Reviews

33 Photos

This red sauce recipe for all-purpose basic tomato sauce is one of my most requested food wishes. Whenever I make a meat sauce, this is my base. You can only stir this with a wooden spoon. Otherwise, it's bad luck.

Recipe by Chef John

Updated on May 25, 2023

33

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

2 hrs

Total Time:

2 hrs 15 mins

Servings:

8

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 rib celery, finely diced
1 pinch salt
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 cup water, or as needed

Directions

Place olive oil, onion, celery, and a pinch of salt into a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are very soft, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour tomatoes with juice into a large bowl and use your hands to crush tomatoes until they look puréed. Set aside.
Mix garlic into vegetable mixture in the saucepan; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, anchovy paste, white wine vinegar, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir just until liquid has evaporated.
Mix in tomato paste until incorporated. Stir in hand-crushed tomatoes and parsley; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld, about 1 1/2 hours. Add a little water as sauce cooks down to reach desired consistency.

SharonH

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

111	Calories
7g	Fat
11g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 111
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g	9%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 337mg	15%
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 3g	10%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 30mg	152%
Calcium 31mg	2%
Iron 1mg	4%
Potassium 538mg	11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.