These sauces are so easy that if you don't make and use them you are probably lazy. These are both quite yummy. You can simmer both of these over a low heat for an hour and pour over pasta if you like. You can substitute lemon juice for the red wine vinegar but I find I greatly prefer the vinegar. Depending on the brand and tartness of the tomatoes you use you might want to use less wine vinegar where called for and add up to a tablespoon of sugar to either of these mixes. With the current batches of the brand of tomato products I use I have found 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and a very scant tablespoon of sugar is perfect. Note that these recipes scale up nicely if you need a LOT of sauce.
ALL PURPOSE MARINARA TYPE SAUCE (about 4 cups)
1 can (28 oz) tomato purée
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste (optional)
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cup water (Start with 1 1/4 cup and add more as necessary to get your desired thickness. For pizza use you want a
thinner sauce as it thickens during baking I've settled on 1 1/4 cups of water with the current batches of purée that I use.)
1 TBS dried parsley or cilantro
1 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano If you like a less "herby" sauce reduce basil to 1 tsp and oregano to 3/4 tsp
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
2-4 tsp minced garlic (the stuff that comes in a jar.)
1-2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp salt, or to tasteMix all ingredients in pot and simmer for about an hour. Stir occasionally.
For use on pizza you don't have to cook this sauce but it tastes even better simmered for a hour (and your kitchen will smell Italian). Store remainder in a refrigerator for up to 1 week or you can put in an air-tight container and freeze for several months.
HEARTY CRUSHED TOMATO SAUCE Variation 1 (about 4 cups)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste (optional)
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp dried basil (or 2 TBS finely minced fresh basil)
1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 TBS finely minced fresh oregano)
3 - 4 tsp minced garlic (the stuff that comes in a jar.)
1 - 2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste.Mix all ingredients in pot and simmer for about an hour. Stir occasionally.
VERY HEARTY CRUSHED TOMATO SAUCE for Detroit/Sicilian pizza (about 3.5 cups)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 TBS Olive oil
2 - 4 tsp minced garlic (the stuff that comes in a jar.)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
Up to 1 TBS sugarSauté the herbs and garlic in the olive oil. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low until liquid has reduced by 1/3.
CLASSIC PIZZA SAUCE (The original simple sauce)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or whole tomatoes
(you crush them yourself)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt to taste
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Disclaimer
If you don't like these recipes, that's your problem. All our friends love our pizza.
Updated 2024-02-28 @ 1430