This basic tomato basil sauce recipe is made using fresh or canned tomatoes, fresh basil, onions, garlic, and olive oil. This traditional red sauce can be served with pasta dishes, or used as a base for pizza, meat or seafood sauces, or dishes like lasagna.
Heat the olive oil or butter in a medium sized sauce pan.
Add the diced onion and crushed garlic, cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and bring to the sauce to a boil.
Reduce the heat and add the basil - some can be chopped, but you can also add the stalks (they add flavor) and remove the stalks when the sauce is done. Add the sugar if using, you can also add the salt and pepper.
Cook the sauce over low heat for at least 30 minutes. Stir the sauce frequently with a wooden spoon and use the spoon to press and help breakdown the chunky tomato pieces.
For a smoother sauce you can use a hand held blender to break down the tomatoes if using whole or diced tomatoes. If you let the sauce cook for longer the tomatoes will naturally break down, or if you prefer a more chunky consistency you can skip the blender step.
Once the consistency suits your preference, the sauce is done and ready to use. For an extra taste of freshness you can add some freshly chopped basil when serving the sauce.