Chunky Tomato Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A vegan chunky tomato sauce, full of Italian flavors, perfect for pasta, pizza, and vegetables. Just like grandma used to make, with onions, tomatoes, garlic, basil and bell peppers.
Author:
Recipe type: Vegan Sauces
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 cups
Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion, diced (1 cup)
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
  • 4 large cloves of garlic, minced or sliced
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 - 28 oz (796 ml) can Italian peeled tomatoes
  • 1 - 5.5 oz (162 ml) can tomato paste
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • sea salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 fresh basil leaves OR 1.5 tablespoons of dried basil
Instructions
  1. Finely dice the onions and the bell pepper.
  2. Mince or thinly slice the garlic.
  3. Open the peeled tomato can, and the tomato paste can.
  4. Measure out the olive oil and set aside.
  5. Get your blender out and set it aside.
  6. To start the sauce, heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat.
  7. Then add the oil, onions and the peppers.
  8. Next, add a pinch of salt and let the onions gently cook until they soften and just begin to turn a slight golden color.
  9. Once they’re ready, add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute or so, just until softened.
  10. While the garlic is cooking, add the contents of the canned whole tomatoes into your blender and the 8 fresh basil leaves. Blend until smooth.
  11. Empty the contents of the blender into the pot and then stir in the tomato paste, and the water, let it gently cook for a few minutes until it becomes a shade darker.
  12. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and black pepper, to taste.
  13. Stir to combine the tomato paste well and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  14. Once the sauce has finished cooking, turn off the heat and enjoy.
Notes
1. Once the sauce has cooled, it will keep in the refrigerator for a few days or it can be frozen for several months. However, it may be a bit watery once it thaws, so it will need to be cooked down slightly when reheated.
2. I usually double this recipe to get 8 cups of sauce and I freeze half of it.
Recipe by VegMyDish.com at http://vegmydish.com/chunky-tomato-sauce/