Authentic Italian Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
Homemade tomato sauce is a very versatile recipe and there is no doubt that it is the holy grail of authentic Italian cooking. From north to south, the basic sugo di pomodoro can be found adorning everything from pasta to gnocchi to rice, and it also forms an excellent basis for more complicated recipes. While each Italian family will have their go-to method of preparing the sauce, we think this version is a failsafe way to guarantee a sauce which is thick, rich and full of flavor.
A great way to use up a summer glut of tomatoes, the basic sugo al pomodoro uses just a few ingredients but the lengthy cooking gives the tomatoes time to slowly exude their sweet juices. It is important that the sauce is not too watery so take the time to reduce it down into a thick, luscious accompaniment for fresh pasta or gnocchi. Simply add a good sprinkle of grated parmigiano cheese and you will be rewarded with a dish which beautifully demonstrates the freshness and simplicity of Italian cooking.
Watch as Local Aromas Foodie Sisters Valeria and Benedetta prepare a classic tomato sauce recipe from their beloved Italian cookbook Il Talismano della Felicità then read on for the ingredients and instructions to make it at home.
Sugo di Pomodoro
(Serves 6)
1kg tomatoes for sauce
1 onion
1 carrot
1 stick of celery
Small bunch of fresh parsley
A few leaves of fresh basil
Half a cup of extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Wash the tomatoes, cut them into chunks, and put them into a saucepan with the olive oil. Chop the onion, carrot, and celery into large pieces and add them together with the parsley and basil.
Cover and cook on a moderate heat for half an hour. Then remove the lid and add a little salt and leave it to reduce for another hour. If the sauce is too liquid, leave it to cook a little longer to thicken.
Pass the sauce through a vegetable mill, add some pepper and check the seasoning, adjusting if necessary.
Serve the sauce with pasta, gnocchi, rice or meat.
Buon appetito!
