How to Make Sauce from Frozen Tomatoes (Very Easy!)
Making sauce from frozen tomatoes is a simple and rewarding process. If you have a stash of frozen tomatoes in your freezer, you can whip up a delicious sauce that’s perfect for pasta, pizza, or any dish that needs a burst of flavor. This guide will walk you through every step to create a rich and tasty sauce that everyone will love.
Why Make This Recipe
Using frozen tomatoes for sauce is a great way to make use of leftover harvest or tomatoes that you couldn’t eat fresh. It saves you money and reduces waste. Plus, this sauce is easy to make and uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand. You’ll end up with a homemade sauce that tastes so much better than store-bought versions.
How to Make Sauce from Frozen Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds frozen tomatoes (defrosted)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or butter (or 50/50)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped garlic (use more or less to your taste)
- ½ cup whole or hand-torn fresh basil (lightly-packed, or 1 Tbsp dried basil)
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Directions:
- Gather and prep all ingredients as mentioned above.
- First, defrost the frozen tomatoes. You can do this on the counter at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once defrosted, the skins should slip off easily. Remove and discard the skins and cores.
- Hand crush the tomatoes. Be sure to keep the tomato water; it adds great flavor to your sauce. You should end up with about 3-4 cups crushed tomatoes.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-low heat. Add the chopped garlic, basil, and crushed red pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the garlic softens.
- Move the garlic mixture to one side of the pot and add the tomato paste. Let it caramelize for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Next, add the crushed tomatoes (with their liquid), salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir everything to combine.
- Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a light simmer. Let it simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your liking.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Enjoy your sauce! This recipe makes enough to lightly dress one pound of pasta or can be used in many other dishes. Buon Appetito!
How to Serve Sauce from Frozen Tomatoes
You can serve this sauce over your choice of pasta, spread it on pizza, or use it in casseroles and baked dishes. It also makes a great base for soups or stews.
How to Store Sauce from Frozen Tomatoes
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it in individual portions for later use. Just make sure to leave some space in the container for the sauce to expand as it freezes.
Tips to Make Sauce from Frozen Tomatoes
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of your sauce.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender before simmering.
- Keep it simple! Don’t feel pressure to add too many ingredients; sometimes, less is more.
Variation
You can add vegetables, such as bell peppers or carrots, to enhance the sauce’s flavor and nutrition. Cooking them along with the garlic at the beginning is a great way to incorporate them!
FAQs
1. Can I make this sauce with fresh tomatoes instead of frozen?
Yes! Just use fresh tomatoes, and you won’t need to defrost them. The process will be quite similar.
2. How long does the sauce last in the freezer?
Homemade sauce can last in the freezer for up to six months. Just make sure it’s sealed well.
3. Can I add meat to this sauce?
Absolutely! Ground beef, sausage, or turkey can make a hearty addition. Cook the meat before adding the tomato mixture to ensure it’s fully cooked through.
Enjoy making your homemade sauce from frozen tomatoes! It’s a delightful addition to any meal and a perfect way to use tomatoes you’ve saved.
Homemade Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 pounds frozen tomatoes (defrosted) Defrosted tomatoes should have skins removed.
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or butter (or 50/50)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped garlic Adjust amount to taste.
- ½ cup whole or hand-torn fresh basil Lightly packed, or use 1 Tbsp dried basil.
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt Adjust to taste.
- ½ tsp black pepper Adjust to taste.
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather and prep all ingredients as mentioned above.
- Defrost the frozen tomatoes. Once defrosted, remove and discard skins and cores.
- Hand crush the tomatoes, keeping the tomato water for flavor.
Cooking
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-low heat.
- Add the chopped garlic, basil, and crushed red pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the garlic softens.
- Move the garlic mixture to one side of the pot and add the tomato paste. Let it caramelize for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes with their liquid, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir to combine.
- Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a light simmer. Simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Enjoy your sauce!
