Name: Fresh Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 small onion (minced); 2 lb tomatoes (diced); 2 tsp dried Italian herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano, sage, thyme); ½ tsp salt (or more to taste); ¼ tsp sugar; a pinch of black pepper (to taste); a handful of fresh basil leaves (chopped); 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)

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Making homemade fresh tomato sauce is easy! And this is the best tomato sauce recipe with fresh tomatoes you ever need to know.

Fresh, delicious, easy, and quick – making a homemade marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes couldn’t be more enjoyable!

And boy, it’s super easy: Sauté minced onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent, roughly chop the tomatoes and add them with fresh or dried herbs of your choice. Simmer for 30 minutes and season with fresh basil, salt, sugar, and pepper – that’s it!

I absolutely love to serve this sauce with spaghetti. Anyhow, it makes a fabulous quick meal with any kind of pasta.

spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes in a pot

I would choose this homemade marinara sauce over any store-bought pasta sauce, especially during summer, when tomatoes are at its best.

Summer = Best Time For Tomatoes

Summertime equals tomato time! Tomatoes are in season during the late summer months until the beginning of fall, and therefore are the most aromatic and have the most beautiful flavors throughout this time.

Ripe, sweet, juicy, that’s what you can expect from seasonal tomatoes.

It doesn’t matter if you are growing your own tomatoes in the garden or shop them at a farmers market. As I don’t have a garden, I go for the second option. They are slightly better and fresher if bought directly from the farmers than at the grocery store (shorter supply chain = fresher produce).

You can use any kind of tomatoes to make this fresh tomato sauce recipe, simply make sure to use ripe ones.

This recipe is also suitable to preserve leftover tomatoes so you can enjoy spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes all winter long. Freeze it for several months or preserve it the traditional way using canning jars.

Dou you love your tomato sauce chunky? Perfect! If not, blend the sauce at the end.

a spoon with homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes

Best way to use fresh tomato sauce:

Pasta – I highly recommend it with spaghetti
Penne Arrabiata – add some chili flakes
Penne Alla Vodka – season to taste with a splash of vodka and dairy-free cream
Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Pizza Sauce

How To Make Fresh Tomato Sauce

Read through this visual step-by-step guide with lots of extra tips!

The exact quantities and everything else you need to know for the recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Wash and dice tomatoes. → Tip: Always use a serrated knife to cut tomatoes.
Heat a large pot with olive oil. Add garlic and onion and sauté for a few minutes until translucent and fragrant.

Add diced tomatoes and Italian herbs.→ All Italian herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, or sage are suitable. Whether using fresh or dried herbs doesn’t matter.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, pop on the lid, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Take off the lid and let it simmer for another 10 minutes so that that excess liquid can evaporate.

Season with salt, sugar, and black pepper. Stir in basil leaves. Optional: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons tomato paste for a slightly thicker and more aromatic tomato sauce.

marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes in a pot

Recipe FAQ

How long does fresh tomato sauce last? You can keep it refrigerated in a sealed container for a few days. OR pour the boiling hot tomato sauce in a with hot water washed preserving jar and close immediately. This way, it will last for weeks.

Can I freeze the sauce? Yes, of course. Freeze it directly in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost straight into a pot over medium heat. You don’t need to let it thaw beforehand.

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