Description
A rich, savory, homemade tomato sauce perfect for elevating stuffed shells and baked pasta dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), crumbled
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
- Season with basil, oregano, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in fresh parsley before serving.
- Use immediately over stuffed shells or store for later.
Notes
For a smoother sauce, blend half before adding the parsley. Simmer longer for deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: stuffed shells, pasta sauce, Italian sauce, homemade tomato sauce