Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

A close up of a bowl of spaghetti showing the texture of the sauce

4.98 from 274 votes

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

Homemade spaghetti sauce is my favorite thing to make with fresh garden tomatoes. This rich, hearty sauce is an instant favorite with anyone who tries it!

Prep Time30

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Servings: servings

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

12-14 tomatoes (fresh, garden tomatoes work best- appx. 6-8 lbs. You can also use two 28oz. cans of San Marzano tomatoes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion chopped
8 ounces mushrooms fresh, chopped
2 teaspoons soy sauce (see notes above)
6 cloves garlic minced
10-12 basil leaves chopped
1 tablespoon oregano finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar (start with 1 tablespoon, taste, and add more as you go along as needed)
1 tablespoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place tomatoes a few at a time in the water and remove after 10-15 seconds.
Immediately place tomatoes in an ice-water bath and remove skins and stems. Cut tomatoes into fourths and place in a food processor or blender.
Process tomatoes a few times, you want them to be the consistency of crushed tomatoes (don't over process). Set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onions and sauté until they become soft and transparent.
Add mushrooms and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Add soy sauce and garlic and continue to cook until mushrooms become soft.
Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally for at least one hour with the lid off. The longer the better!
If you want to simmer 2+ hours, simmer with the lid on for the first hour, then remove the lid and continue simmering until thickened.
Serve over cooked pasta.

Video

Notes

For a "chunky" sauce - If you like a "chunky" homemade garden spaghetti sauce, just coarsely chop up any veggies you like and stir them in while sautéing the onions.

For a meat sauce - If you would like to make this a meat sauce, simple brown some ground beef or sausage along with the onions and then continue with the recipe as written.

Nutrition