CHEF JOHN'S TOMATO SAUCE

Chef John's Tomato Sauce image

This is one of my most requested food wishes, my all-purpose basic tomato sauce. Whenever I make a meat sauce, this is my base. You can only stir this with a wooden spoon, otherwise it's bad luck.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato

Time 2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 rib celery, finely diced
1 pinch salt
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
water, or as needed

Steps:

Place olive oil, onion, celery, and a pinch of salt into a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook until onions are very soft, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix garlic into onion mixture and cook just until fragrant, about 1 more minute.
Pour tomatoes and their juice into a large mixing bowl and use your hands to crush the tomatoes until they look pureed.
Mix sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, anchovy paste, white wine vinegar, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes into vegetable mixture. Raise heat to medium and cook just until liquid has evaporated. Stir in tomato paste and bring to a simmer. Pour in San Marzano tomatoes and parsley. Bring sauce to a simmer, turn heat to low, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, adding a little water as the sauce cooks down. Stir occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.9 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 0.3 mg, Fat 7.1 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 674 mg, Sugar 7.3 g