Fresh Tomato Spaghetti Sauce: Freeze for Later

There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade spaghetti sauce. The rich, tangy flavors of fresh tomatoes, herbs, and spices combine to create a mouth-watering sauce that is perfect for topping off a plate of steaming hot spaghetti. While making a fresh batch of spaghetti sauce from scratch is a labor of love, the good news is that you can easily freeze it for later use. This means that you can enjoy the delicious taste of homemade sauce whenever the craving strikes, without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

One of the best things about homemade spaghetti sauce is the flexibility it offers. You can tailor the ingredients to suit your personal preferences, whether you prefer a chunky sauce with lots of vegetables or a smooth, velvety sauce. When you make your own spaghetti sauce, you can control the quality of the ingredients and the levels of salt, sugar, and other additives, helping you and your family to eat healthier and more wholesome meals.

Here’s a simple recipe for fresh tomato spaghetti sauce that you can make in large batches and freeze for later use. This recipe yields about 5-6 cups of sauce, enough for several meals. You can easily double or triple the recipe if you want to stock up the freezer.

Ingredients:
– 2-3 pounds of ripe tomatoes, diced
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the diced tomatoes to the pot, along with the dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using.
4. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, then bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
6. Once the sauce has cooled, you can transfer it to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, making sure to leave some room for expansion if using bags.
7. Label the containers with the date and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you’re ready to use the sauce, simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight or defrost it in the microwave, then reheat it on the stovetop until piping hot. Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta and enjoy the taste of summer any time of the year.

Homemade spaghetti sauce is a versatile and delicious ingredient to have on hand, and by making a large batch and freezing it for later, you can enjoy the convenience of store-bought sauce with the flavor and freshness of homemade. Give this recipe a try and see just how easy it is to have homemade spaghetti sauce on hand whenever you need it.