Classic Tomato Basil Delight

Ingredients

- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
- 10 fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups water
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Finely chop the tomatoes and set them aside.
- Roughly tear the fresh basil leaves for a vibrant herbaceous aroma.
- Mince the garlic cloves to release their pungent flavor.

2. Initial Sauté:
- In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.

3. Cook the Tomatoes:
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the saucepan and stir well with the garlic.
- Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down and release their juices. Stir occasionally.

4. Adding Flavor:
- Stir in the dried oregano, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

5. Simmer:
- Add the water to the tomato mixture and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and allow it to simmer for about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.

6. Finish with Basil:
- Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove the lid and stir in the roughly torn basil leaves.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to infuse the basil flavor into the sauce.

7. Adjust Seasoning and Serve:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the tomato basil sauce over your favorite pasta, crusty bread, or as a delicious accompaniment to grilled meats.

Preparation & Cooking Times

PT45M
45 minutes

Total Time

PT45M
45 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Tomato basil sauce, easy tomato sauce, stovetop recipe, garlic tomato basil, Italian dinner, homemade pasta sauce, quick dinner recipe, fresh tomato sauce, basil and tomato, healthy dinner

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 480 calories for the entire dish

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