There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade tomato sauce made from fresh, ripe tomatoes.
Whether you’re using garden tomatoes or the best tomatoes from your local farmers’ market, the deep, rich flavor of a homemade sauce is unbeatable.
Are you tired of cooking down tomato juice to make a thick sauce. Are you tired of the tomato juice splatters all over your walls and oven because of the boiling tomato juice down for hours?
Thick Tomato Sauce Hack
The traditional process of boiling tomatoes for hours to reduce the water content and thicken the sauce can be a bit daunting. Luckily, I’ve discovered an easy hack that saves time without sacrificing flavor!
Instead of spending hours simmering, this method involves freezing the tomatoes first. By freezing, blending, and canning, you can make thick, delicious tomato sauce in a fraction of the time. Let’s dive in.
The Traditional Way to Make Tomato Sauce
Traditionally, making thick tomato sauce requires boiling fresh tomatoes for hours to remove the excess water. This slow-cooked tomato sauce technique is time-honored and effective, but it’s not always practical when you have a busy schedule.
Many home cooks love the idea of making homemade tomato sauce, but long cooking times can be a turnoff. And while the end result is usually a thick, rich sauce perfect for spaghetti or homemade pizza, there’s an easier way to achieve the same thick consistency with much less hassle.
My Easy Hack: Freezing First
Here’s where my easy method comes into play. Freezing fresh tomatoes before you start the cooking process is the best way to reduce their water content without boiling them down for hours.
When tomatoes freeze, their cell walls break, releasing water when they thaw. By draining off this excess water, you eliminate much of the liquid before even hitting the stove, saving both time and energy.
This little trick gives you a naturally thick sauce without the need for extended simmering or cornstarch slurry.
Step-by-Step Method for Thick Tomato Sauce: Freeze, Blend, and Can
With this method, you still get that homemade marinara sauce flavor and the rich, smooth consistency everyone loves. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Freeze Your Fresh Tomatoes
Start with fresh, ripe tomatoes. Really any whole tomatoes work for this recipe, San Marzano tomatoes, whole tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes. They all work well for this recipe.
Simply wash and dry your tomatoes, and freeze them whole in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag. This is the key to the thick sauce!
Thaw and Drain
Once frozen, thaw your tomatoes at room temperature or in the refrigerator. As they thaw, you’ll notice that a lot of water is released. Drain off this water. This is the step that makes the sauce naturally thick without long boiling times.
Blend and Mill
After draining the tomatoes, blend then using a food processor, blender, or immersion blender. A potato masher works if you prefer a chunkier texture.
Once blended, pass the mixture through a food mill to remove any skins and seeds. This leaves you with a smooth, tomato-based sauce ready for cooking.
Treat for Chickens
If you are a homesteader and raise chickens. Give the seeds and peelings from the milling process to them. They just love it. You can also add this to the compost bin too.
Cook Your Sauce
In a large pot over medium heat, add a bit of extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes for a little heat. Add the blended tomatoes and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. As it cooks, the sauce will thicken naturally. There is no need for additional thickening agents like cornstarch slurry.
For an extra burst of flavor, toss in some fresh basil leaves and Italian seasoning. You can also add a splash of white wine or lemon juice to enhance the sauce’s rich flavor profile.
Can and Preserve
Once your sauce reaches the desired thick consistency, it’s time to can it for later use. Ladle the sauce into sterilized jars, leaving about an inch of headspace.
Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath according to your canning equipment instructions.
This sauce is a great way to preserve the fresh flavors of tomato season and enjoy homemade pasta sauce throughout the year.
Easy Hack for Thick Tomato Sauce: Freeze, Blend, and Can
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Ingredients
- 10 Pounds Fresh Tomatoes
- 6 Cloves Garlic minced
- ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 6 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Cup White Wine
- ¾ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Freeze the Tomatoes. Wash and dry the fresh tomatoes. Freeze them whole for at least 24 hours.10 Pounds Fresh Tomatoes
- Thaw and Drain. Thaw the frozen tomatoes at room temperature. As they thaw, drain the excess water.
- Blend the Tomatoes. Using a food processor, immersion blender, or potato masher, blend the tomatoes into a sauce-like consistency. Pass the mixture through a food mill to remove the seeds and skins.
- Cook the Sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant. Add the tomato puree and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in fresh basil leaves, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.6 Cloves Garlic, ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 6 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, 1/4 Cup White Wine, ¾ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, Fresh basil leaves, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Can the Sauce. Ladle the sauce into sterilized jars, seal tightly, and process in a boiling water bath for 35–40 minutes. Store jars in a cool, dark place. Once opened, store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
There you have it. This easy hack for thickening tomato sauce saves time and effort without sacrificing the rich flavor of a slow-cooked tomato sauce.
The next time you find yourself with a bumper crop of tomatoes or a great deal at the farmers’ market, give this method a try.
Not only will you have a delicious homemade sauce, but you’ll also have a pantry full of flavorful tomato goodness ready to enjoy for the rest of the year. Whether you use this sauce for spaghetti, homemade pizza, or as a base for a creamy tomato sauce, this go-to recipe is sure to be a big hit in your kitchen.
hhvicky
Saturday 28th of September 2024
Thank you for sharing this recipe