Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce

1. Sauté Onions

Pour extra-virgin olive oil into a medium Dutch oven and heat over medium-low. Add onions and a pinch of fine sea salt, cooking gently for 16 to 18 minutes until tender and golden.

2. Crush Tomatoes

Crush the tomatoes by hand or with a potato masher in a large bowl. Rinse the can with 1.5 cups of water to use any remaining tomato juice.

3. Cook Garlic and Tomato Paste

Add garlic to the pot and cook for about 90 seconds until golden and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 3 minutes to deepen the flavor.

4. Simmer Sauce

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add basil stems and red-pepper flakes if using, and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for 45 minutes.

5. Final Seasoning

Season the sauce to taste with salt and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. If desired, purée the sauce to a smooth consistency using a hand blender or food mill.