Description
This quick Small Batch Tomato Sauce recipe is your perfect solution! In about 30 minutes, using just one can of diced tomatoes and a few pantry staples, you can create a rich, flavorful, and incredibly versatile sauce that tastes worlds better than anything from a jar. It’s the ideal amount for a single meal, minimizing waste and maximizing fresh, homemade taste.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 cup Onion, finely chopped
- 1 Medium Carrot, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 Celery Stalk, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 tsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can Canned Diced Tomatoes (undrained)
- 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 Tbsp Salted Butter
- 1/2 tsp Honey
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the entire can of diced tomatoes (including the juice). Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture just to a gentle boil.
- Let Flavors Meld: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan loosely, and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes. Stir it occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Blend (Optional) and Finish: Remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the bay leaf. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pan and blend until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add Richness and Balance: Stir the salted butter and honey into the warm sauce until the butter is completely melted. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with another pinch of salt, if needed.
Notes
- Fine Chop: Chop your vegetables (onion, carrot, celery) finely and uniformly. This ensures they cook evenly and melt into the sauce beautifully.
- Don’t Burn Garlic: Adding the garlic during the last minute of sautéing prevents it from burning, which can turn the sauce bitter.
- Simmering is Key: The 20-minute simmer allows the flavors of the vegetables, herbs, and tomatoes to meld together and deepen, creating a much richer tasting sauce.
- Safe Blending: If using a countertop blender for the hot sauce, be cautious! Remove the center cap from the lid and cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel to allow steam to escape safely.
- Richness and Balance: The butter adds a wonderful richness and velvety texture, while the honey balances the natural acidity of the tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sauce, Quick Meal
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
