Provencal Sauce Recipe Highlights
If you think the best and only tomato sauce comes from Italy, think again! This Sauce Tomate Provençale (just one of the many spellings we use) is extra-special because it hails from Provence, a delightful region in southeastern France. The chefs from this region have made this tomato provencal sauce an integral aspect of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet! As Provence borders Italy, it’s no surprise that both regions became famous for their fresh tomato sauces. Having said that, this area has its own identity–namely due to what’s been called the Provençal dialect. We suggest you make this recipe in the summer to take advantage of the fresh tomatoes at your local farmer’s market–and then freeze the rest for another time.
This kid-friendly, vegetarian tomato-based sauce will dress up whatever meat or fish you’re serving–use it as part of the next meal you cook, or simply throw it on leftovers. It’s a versatile tomato sauce that’s most commonly spooned over baked chicken, meat, white fish such as cod, and seafood such as calamari. This recipe for tomato provencal sauce makes mid-week meal planning a breeze. The Tomato Provençale Sauce does not require hours of simmering, so it can be ready for dinner if you get started in the late afternoon. Overall, it’s very simple to make!
This tomato provencal sauce is delicious as-is, but you can also let it cool completely before blending it to create a smoother sauce. For exact quantities and detailed instructions, please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post (scroll down).
Roma Tomatoes. For this sauce, fresh is best! Often called plum tomatoes, Roma tomatoes have less water than other varieties and are therefore perfect for simmering. If you can’t find them, try using another variety, or canned tomatoes, instead. Olive Oil. Mediterranean cooking relies on olive oil because of the abundant olive orchards in the region. Since it is also heart-healthy and delicious, olive oil is also a smart choice for cooking. For the best flavor and performance, we recommend Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO for short). Garlic. Fundamental to any tomato sauce, garlic is a classic ingredient in Mediterranean cooking. If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, just add a little garlic powder to the spices instead. Parsley. There are several types of parsley, but we recommend flat Italian parsley for this recipe. That said, if you have a stash of curly parsley in your fridge, go ahead and use it up! Onion. Like garlic, onion is an ingredient that cannot be skipped in a tomato sauce. Yellow onions pack the most flavor. Herbs. We recommend using fresh thyme and bay leaves for this recipe, but dried herbs will work just as well. You can also use Herbes de Provence, a dried French mixture that you can make yourself or purchase at the grocery store. Ingredients vary, but it is typically a mix of marjoram, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, savory, and sage. It’s delicious and a wonderful change from Italian Seasoning. Canned Diced Tomatoes. We love the liquid and texture that canned tomatoes add to this sauce. Seasonings. We recommend sea salt or kosher salt for this recipe, but if you don’t have any on hand, simply use half as much regular table salt. Ground black pepper adds depth of flavor, and a little sugar removes any bitter edge from the tomatoes.
Process Overview: Provencal Sauce Recipe Step-by-Step
Here’s how easy it is to make our Tomato Provencal Sauce.
If you would like a slightly thicker sauce, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste in the last 15 minutes of cooking. Make a big batch in August and use the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find from the farmer’s market or your own garden. The flavor will be out of this world! Then, portion it out and freeze it to use throughout the year. We recommend using a wide, shallow skillet to prepare this tomato sauce. Use this sauce as a quick and easy appetizer by setting out a shallow bowl of sauce and some crusty bread and raw veggies for dipping. It’s all personal preference, but the ingredients in this sauce can be blended to create a sauce that is less chunky. Either way, it’s delicious!
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Recipe Card 📖
