What Is Pomodoro Sauce?
Pomodoro sauce is a classic Italian tomato sauce like marinara sauce and arrabbiata sauce, and as you might have guessed, it’s the sauce used to make pasta al pomodoro. This isn’t the kind of homemade pasta sauce that has a lot of ingredients or requires an all-day cooking time—instead, it relies on simple ingredients and a relatively short time on the stovetop for a more fresh, vibrant flavour. Pomodoro sauce is an authentic Italian pasta sauce that’s still doable for a weeknight dinner!
Why You’ll Love this Pomodoro Sauce Recipe
So much better than store-bought. Homemade pasta sauce is always better than the kind that comes in a jar, and pomodoro sauce is no exception. The freshness of the ingredients comes through in every bite! Versatile. Pomodoro sauce isn’t just for pasta! There are a lot of ways to put it to use, so you’ll want to keep it on hand in your freezer. Simple ingredients, complex flavour. While this pomodoro sauce recipe may seem like a basic tomato sauce on the surface, don’t be fooled by its simplicity. Use high-quality ingredients, and you’ll get lots of complexity.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
Tomatoes – I love using either fresh Roma tomatoes or canned San Marzano tomatoes, which are imported from Italy. Olive oil Onion – A yellow or white onion is perfect. Garlic – You can add extra if you’d like! Salt and ground black pepper Sugar – Just a bit to cut the acidity of the tomatoes. Fresh basil leaves – Dried basil just doesn’t compare to fresh!
How to Make Pomodoro Sauce
Prep the tomatoes. If you’re using fresh tomatoes, you’ll need to blanch, peel, and chop them. Sauté the onion and garlic. Warm the olive oil in a pan set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it’s softened, then add the garlic and cook a minute or two more, until fragrant. Add the tomatoes. Stir them into the onions and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they start breaking down. Simmer. Season with salt and pepper, then add the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. Finish. Stir in the basil, cook for a few minutes to allow the flavours to come together, then serve.
Tips for Success
Simmer longer if you’d like. Many homemade pasta sauce recipes have you simmer them on the stovetop for hours; while that’s not necessary for pomodoro sauce, which is meant to have a lighter flavour, you can simmer it for longer than 20 minutes if you want to add more depth and let the tomatoes break down more on their own. Use high-quality tomatoes. The quality of the tomatoes you use will significantly impact the taste of your pomodoro sauce. Opt for ripe, in-season fresh tomatoes or canned San Marzano tomatoes for the best results. Adjust the seasoning. Taste your sauce as it simmers and feel free to adjust the seasoning to your preference. Sometimes, a bit more salt, pepper, or sugar can balance the flavours perfectly. Don’t skip the fresh basil. Fresh basil brings a vibrant aroma and flavour that dried basil simply can’t match. Add it towards the end to preserve its freshness.
Ways to Use Pomodoro Sauce
Pasta. The classic option! This sauce is great for making vegan spaghetti and meatballs, or just ladled over your favourite pasta shape. Dipping. Use pomodoro sauce for dipping crusty bread, garlic knots, fried polenta, or even pizza crust. Lasagnas and more. Use pomodoro sauce instead of marinara in recipes like vegan lasagna, eggplant rollatini, and vegan manicotti.
How to Store Homemade Pasta Sauce
Transfer your pomodoro sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
For longer storage, freeze pomodoro sauce in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating or, if you’ve frozen it in a freezer bag, thaw it in a bowl of hot water and then reheat it.
More Vegan Sauce Recipes
Scotch Bonnet Pepper Hot Sauce Homemade Tomato Sauce Vegan Alfredo Sauce + 5 Ways to Use it Thai Peanut Sauce Easy 10-Minute Basil Pesto Recipe
Enjoy friends! If you make this pomodoro sauce recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
