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Classic Tomato Sauce

This classic tomato sauce is a fundamental recipe for any home cook, offering a rich and versatile base for countless Italian-inspired meals. By slowly softening onions with fragrant bay and oregano, you create a deep, savoury foundation that far surpasses any shop-bought alternative. The secret lies in the gentle simmering process, which allows the tomatoes to break down and their natural sweetness to intensify, resulting in a thick, vibrant sauce with a silky texture.

As a naturally vegan dish, this sauce is a healthy and nutritious addition to your weekly meal prep. It freezes beautifully, making it an excellent batch-cook option for busy weeknights when you need a quick topping for pasta or a base for a vegetable ragu. Serve it simply with fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a comforting, homemade dinner.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Classic Tomato Sauce

  • 60ml olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely diced

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoons dried

  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • Two 725g boxes Pomi Chopped Tomatoes or two 800g cans whole plum tomatoes, chopped with their liquid

How to make Classic Tomato Sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, bay leaf, oregano, garlic, and salt and cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and stir constantly until the sauce begins to boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring every 5 minutes or so to prevent the sauce on the bottom of the pot from burning. Taste and season with additional salt, if desired. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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