This tomato sauce recipe is ideal for putting on pizza bases, using in pasta dishes and putting in soups. It is very easy to make and is much tastier and cheaper that shop-bought sauces - you also know what goes into it and have control over salt and sugar levels.
This tomato sauce recipe is ideal for putting on pizza bases, using in pasta dishes and putting in soups.

Peel the onion and chop finely
Peel and crush garlic
Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic
Cook the onions and garlic, stirring regularly, until they are soft and the onions are translucent
Add add salt, pepper and the tomatoes
Bring to the boil and turn down the heat, allowing the sauce to gently simmer for about 15 minutes
Roughly chop the basil and add to the sauce
Taste and add more salt and pepper if required
Cook for another 5 minutes or so
Purée using a hand blender or pour into a food processor and blitz
Older children (8 and above) can make most of this dish on their own with adult supervision (particularly around preparing the onions and garlic). The younger ones love using our mezzaluna (herb chopper) and can help stirring the sauce on the hob - as usual we are very careful and always stay with them, not leaving them on their own.
Variations
The sky and imagination are the only limits for variations to the tomato sauce. You can add different herbs for example thyme or oregano. Once blended you could add fried chorizo or meatballs and mix with pasta for a delicious lunch or dinner. Add roasted sweet peppers before blending to add a lovely richness to the sauce. As I said, the sky's the limit. Comment below with your suggestions please!!
Ingredients
Directions
Peel the onion and chop finely
Peel and crush garlic
Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic
Cook the onions and garlic, stirring regularly, until they are soft and the onions are translucent
Add add salt, pepper and the tomatoes
Bring to the boil and turn down the heat, allowing the sauce to gently simmer for about 15 minutes
Roughly chop the basil and add to the sauce
Taste and add more salt and pepper if required
Cook for another 5 minutes or so
Purée using a hand blender or pour into a food processor and blitz