Simple Homemade Pomodoro Sauce Recipe: A Classic Italian Favorite

Pomodoro sauce sparks culinary magic with its radiant red brilliance and authentic Mediterranean charm.

Classic Italian kitchens craft humble ingredients into something extraordinary through this legendary condiment.

Bright, sun-ripened tomatoes dance with aromatic herbs, creating a symphony of intense flavors that transport you straight to the Italian countryside.

Delicate yet robust, this sauce represents pure gastronomic poetry without unnecessary complexity.

Skilled home cooks can easily craft this elegant recipe that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Regional traditions and generations of culinary wisdom converge in each delectable spoonful.

Get ready to elevate your cooking with a sauce that promises pure, unadulterated deliciousness.

Pairing Pomodoro Sauce with Pasta

• Pair with Rustic Bread: Grab a crusty Italian loaf to soak up every delicious drop of the smooth, rich pomodoro sauce.
• Match with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Select a chilled, acidic white wine that cuts through the tomato's sweetness and complements the garlic's warmth.
• Serve alongside Creamy Mozzarella: Sprinkle fresh mozzarella chunks over the sauce to create a classic Italian flavor combination that balances the tomato's tanginess.
• Complement with Grilled Chicken: Add tender, herb-seasoned grilled chicken strips to transform this simple sauce into a hearty, protein-packed meal.

Fun Variations of Pomodoro Sauce

• Roasted Tomato Pomodoro: Roast whole tomatoes with garlic and olive oil in the oven until caramelized before blending, adding deeper, smokier flavor to the classic sauce.
• Spicy Herb Pomodoro: Incorporate red pepper flakes and fresh chopped oregano during simmering to create a zesty, herb-infused version with extra kick.
• Creamy Mediterranean Pomodoro: Stir in a splash of heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese at the end of cooking for a rich, velvety texture that adds luxurious depth to the traditional sauce.
• Vegetable-Enhanced Pomodoro: Sauté finely diced carrots and onions with garlic before adding tomatoes, boosting nutritional value and creating a more complex, layered taste profile.

Pomodoro Sauce: A Simple Italian Classic

• Savor Quick Italian Simplicity: This pomodoro sauce showcases authentic Italian cooking with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, transforming basic pantry staples into a restaurant-quality sauce in just 25 minutes.
• Unleash Smooth Texture Magic: Blending the sauce creates a silky, velvety consistency that coats pasta perfectly, eliminating chunky tomato bits while preserving rich, deep tomato essence.
• Celebrate Healthy Comfort Food: Packed with low-calorie, nutrient-dense ingredients, this sauce delivers a guilt-free meal option that's heart-healthy, with zero cholesterol and plenty of natural tomato goodness.

Must-Have Ingredients for Pomodoro Sauce

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh, firm cloves with smooth skin that provide a robust, aromatic foundation for the sauce.
• Canned Tomatoes: High-quality whole peeled tomatoes with rich, tangy flavor and natural sweetness.

• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil for smooth, rich base and light flavor infusion.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance and balance the sauces natural flavors.

• Basil Sprig: Fresh herb that adds delicate, sweet aromatic notes to the sauce.

How to Make Pomodoro Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Garlic

Grab 3 garlic cloves and gently crush them with the side of a knife. Carefully peel away the papery skin, revealing the fresh cloves underneath.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic

Warm olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Toss in the prepared garlic and cook until it turns a delicate golden color, which takes about 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

• Basil sprig (optional but recommended)
• Salt
• Pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 20 minutes, occasionally breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon to create a rustic texture.

Step 4: Remove Herbs

Take the saucepan off the heat and discard the basil sprig if you used one.

Step 5: Blend to Smoothness

Use an immersion blender to transform the sauce into a silky-smooth consistency. Move the blender around to ensure every bit gets blended perfectly.

Step 6: Final Seasoning

Taste the sauce and sprinkle in additional salt and pepper if needed. The goal is a balanced, rich flavor that makes your taste buds dance.

Tips for Perfect Pomodoro Sauce

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe, high-quality canned tomatoes for the most authentic and flavorful pomodoro sauce.
• Control Garlic Intensity: Adjust the number of garlic cloves based on your preference, removing them before blending for a milder taste.
• Simmer Slowly: Let the sauce develop deep flavors by maintaining a gentle simmer, which helps break down tomatoes and meld ingredients.
• Blend with Care: Use an immersion blender for a smooth texture, avoiding over-blending to prevent a watery consistency.
• Enhance Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt and pepper gradually, allowing the natural tomato sweetness to shine through.

Storing and Reheating Pomodoro Sauce

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pomodoro sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cool the sauce completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain fresh flavor.
• Freeze: Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about 1/2 inch of space for expansion. Frozen sauce stays delicious for 3-4 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat: Thaw refrigerated or frozen sauce in the microwave or stovetop. Warm gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water if the sauce seems too thick, restoring its original smooth consistency and vibrant taste.

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich Italian Pomodoro sauce brings classic Mediterranean flavors to your kitchen with simple, fresh ingredients. Ripe tomatoes simmer gently with garlic and basil, creating a silky smooth sauce perfect for pasta lovers seeking authentic Italian comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 (28-ounce/793 grams) can whole peeled tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 small sprig fresh basil (optional)

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more if needed
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more if needed

Cooking Liquid:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Peel and gently crush the garlic cloves using the flat side of a chef’s knife to release their aromatic oils.
2. Pour extra virgin olive oil into a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, warming it over medium heat until it shimmers slightly.
3. Add the crushed garlic and sauté, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the cloves turn a delicate pale golden color, approximately 1-2 minutes.
4. Pour in the whole canned tomatoes along with their natural juices, allowing the liquid to cascade into the pan.
5. Gently place a fresh basil sprig into the sauce for additional depth of flavor, if desired.
6. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, using approximately of salt and a pinch of pepper.
7. Increase the heat to bring the sauce to a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
8. Allow the sauce to cook for 20 minutes, periodically breaking down the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon to create a more uniform texture.
9. Remove the pan from the heat and discard the basil sprig if used.
10. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it reaches a smooth, velvety consistency.
11. Taste the sauce and make final adjustments to the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavor profile.

Notes

• Garlic transforms the sauce’s base, releasing sweet, mellow flavors when gently sautéed in olive oil.
• Crushed canned tomatoes create a rich, vibrant foundation with natural sweetness and depth.
• Simmering allows ingredients to meld, softening tomato texture and concentrating robust flavors.
• Blending with an immersion blender ensures silky, smooth consistency without losing rustic charm.
• Seasoning adjustments at the end elevate the sauce, balancing salt and pepper for perfect taste.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg