Tomatoes, with their soft, succulent flesh, high liquid content, and rich flavor, are the first preference when it comes to making sauces. Different countries have their own name for this sauce. In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, it is described as a condiment, whereas in the United States, it is popularly called ketchup. This sauce can be made at home or even purchased from food stores and supermarkets. One of the best features of homemade tomato sauce is that it tastes better than the commercial version. As it lacks artificial flavors and preservatives, it does not affect your health and can be tailored to your diet. The recipe can be modified according to your preference by adding sugar or salt. You can also cook it for a shorter or longer period of time to get the desired thickness. Since the ingredients are easily available, making tomato sauce is less time-consuming. Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Tomatoes, chopped, 6
• Onions, diced, 3
• Garlic cloves, minced, 6
• Olive oil, ¼ cup
• Green peppers, minced, 2
• White wine, 3 tablespoons
• Pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Salt to taste

Directions In a medium-sized saucepan heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add onions, green pepper, and minced garlic, and sauté till the onions and garlic becomes golden brown. Transfer the tomatoes, white wine pepper, and salt to taste. Stir till the ingredients get mixed together and it gets a saucy feel. Let this mixture simmer for about 20 minutes on medium flame. Basic Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Tomatoes, crushed, 8
• Olive oil, 3 tablespoons
• Medium-sized onion, diced, 1
• Garlic cloves, minced, 5
• Salt to taste

Directions In a skillet, heat the olive oil and add onion when the oil begins to simmer. Cook the onion till it becomes light pink in color. Add the garlic and sauté till it becomes golden brown. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for about 20 minutes till the sauce begins to thicken. Add salt and a pinch of sugar if required. Tomato Sauce Recipe Using Fresh Tomatoes Ingredients

• Fresh tomatoes, chopped, 5
• Small onions, diced, 3
• Garlic cloves, minced, 6
• Red bell peppers, chopped, 2
• Chopped celery, 1 cup
• Tomato paste, 3 cans
• Parsley and fresh basil, chopped, ½ cup
• Fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon
• Dried oregano, 1½ teaspoons
• Pepper, ½ teaspoon
• Olive oil, 1 cup
• Bay leaves, 5
• Salt to taste

Directions In a saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the onions till it turns translucent. Add the chopped peppers, celery, and garlic, and cook them with onion for about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining seasonings, tomatoes, and tomato paste and cook till the oil forms a thin film and the sauce thickens. You can serve this sauce with pizza or spaghetti. Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Tomatoes, 6
• Extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons
• Garlic cloves, thinly sliced, 5
• Freshly ground pepper, ½ teaspoon
• Medium-sized onion, diced, 1
• Lemon juice (optional), 1 teaspoon
• Red wine, ½ cup
• Fresh basil, finely chopped, ½ cup
• Raw (turbinado) sugar, 1 tablespoon
• Italian parsley, chopped, 2 tablespoons
• Salt to taste

Directions Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water till their skins turn loose and wrinkled. Soak them in ice-cold water and remove the skin. Squeeze these tomatoes through a strainer to remove the seeds. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions till they become translucent. Add basil and garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes. Now add the seedless tomato, salt, and pepper and stir for about 15 minutes. Stir in the wine and let this mixture simmer till it becomes half the quantity. If you want to get a tangy sour flavor, mix the lemon juice before removing from the burner. Garnish it with freshly chopped parsley and serve it with Italian pasta. Quick Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Crushed red tomatoes, 1 can
• Extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup
• Lemon zest, ½ cup
• Finely chopped garlic cloves, 5
• Fine grain sea salt, ½ teaspoon
• Red pepper flakes, crushed, 1 teaspoon

Directions In a saucepan sauté the garlic, sea salt, and red pepper flakes with olive oil till everything is fragrant. Add the tomatoes and stir it till the mixture begins to simmer. Stir in the lemon zest and remove the pan from the heat. Serve the sauce with pasta. Easy Tomato Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Large tomatoes, chopped, 3
• Tomato puree, 1 tablespoon
• Medium-sized onion, diced, 1
• Pepper, ½ teaspoon
• Olive oil, ½ teaspoon
• Salt to taste

Directions Sauté the onion with olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan, till the onion becomes translucent. Add the tomatoes and stir for about 15 minutes. Stir in the pepper, tomato puree, and salt and cook till the mixture becomes thick. Fresh Tomato Spaghetti Sauce Ingredients

• Butter, 2 tablespoons
• Fresh tomatoes. 4
• Garlic cloves, crushed, 4
• Medium-sized onions, finely chopped, 2
• Fresh basil, chopped, ¼ teaspoon
• Oregano, 1 teaspoon
• Olive oil, ¼ cup
• Fresh parsley sprigs, 4
• Freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Sugar, 1 tablespoon
• Grated Parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons
• Salt to taste

Directions Place a saucepan on medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil has heated, add butter and allow it to melt. Add onions, crushed garlic, basil, and stir. Cook for a couple of minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent. Now add the tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil. Once the sauce starts bubbling, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes. Transfer the contents to a bowl and allow it cool. You can now use this sauce for spaghetti or any other Italian pasta. If you enjoyed making tomato sauce from scratch, then it's time to bid farewell to the artificially flavored tomato sauces available in the market. You can even improvise and add your own ingredients. Adding natural preservatives will increase the shelf life of the sauce.