Garden-Fresh Spaghetti Sauce

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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There’s nothing quite like a homemade spaghetti sauce, especially when it's bursting with flavors fresh from the garden. This Garden-Fresh Spaghetti Sauce is vibrant, hearty, and perfect for making a simple pasta night something special.

Ingredients for Garden-Fresh Spaghetti Sauce

Olive oil is the base of our sauce, lending a smooth, rich texture and helping to sauté our vegetables to perfection. The onion brings a lovely sweetness once it's cooked down, while the garlic adds a fragrant depth you just can't skip. We mix in both red and green bell peppers for a vibrant color and a sweet, mild flavor, and a carrot for a subtle sweetness and added nutrition. Fresh tomatoes are the star, giving the sauce a juicy, full-bodied flavor, complemented by tomato sauce and tomato paste for thickness and richness. Basil and parsley provide a fresh herbal aroma, while dried oregano brings a classic Italian touch. We season with salt, black pepper, and a bit of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. Finally, a touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully.

Tips & Tricks

  • Always taste your sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
  • If the sauce is too thick for your liking, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
  • For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender after cooking to blend to your desired consistency.
  • Consider doubling the recipe and freezing half for a quick meal later on.

Serving Suggestions

This sauce pairs perfectly with spaghetti, but don’t stop there. Try it with penne or rigatoni, where the sauce can cling to the grooves. It also makes a fantastic topping for homemade pizza or as a dipping sauce for garlic bread. Add some grated Parmesan on top for an extra touch of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes, if fresh tomatoes are unavailable, use canned whole tomatoes. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning since canned varieties can be more acidic.
How long will leftovers last?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I make this sauce spicy?
Absolutely! Just increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.

Garden-Fresh Spaghetti Sauce Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the diced onion and sauté until it's soft and translucent. This should take about five minutes. Next, toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for just a minute. You’ll want to smell that wonderful aroma without burning it.

Add the chopped red and green bell peppers along with the grated carrot. Stir them around, letting them sauté until they’re nice and soft—about another five minutes. Now, stir in the fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Mix everything together until the paste is fully incorporated.

It's time to add the herbs and spices: mix in the chopped basil, parsley, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything well and don’t forget the sugar—just a tablespoon will do wonders for the flavor.

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer away for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot over your favorite pasta and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Uses fresh, seasonal ingredients straight from your garden or local market.
  • Perfect balance of flavors with just a hint of sweetness.
  • Easy to customize with your favorite veggies and herbs.
  • Rich, satisfying texture that hugs your pasta beautifully.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 large carrot, grated
2 cups fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp sugar

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add chopped red and green bell peppers and grated carrot, sautéing until vegetables are soft.
5. Stir in fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
6. Add chopped basil, parsley, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
7. Stir in sugar, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
8. Reduce the heat to low and let sauce simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired, then serve over your favorite pasta.

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