From Freezer to Table: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Frozen Tomatoes
One of the simplest and tastiest ways to use up the abundance of ripe tomatoes from your garden is to make homemade spaghetti sauce. And if you find yourself with an excess of tomatoes, freezing them is a great way to preserve their flavor and use them later on.
Homemade spaghetti sauce made with frozen tomatoes is not only delicious, but it also allows you to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. So, if you have a surplus of tomatoes in your garden, or if you’ve found a great deal on ripe tomatoes at the farmer’s market, here’s a recipe that will allow you to turn those tomatoes into a delicious sauce that you can enjoy on pasta, pizza, or any other dish that calls for a rich, flavorful sauce.
Ingredients:
– 4 lbs of ripe tomatoes, frozen and then thawed
– 1 onion, chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
– 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
– 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)
Instructions:
1. Start by thawing the frozen tomatoes in a colander placed over a bowl to catch the excess liquid. Once the tomatoes are thawed, peel off the skins and remove the stems. Chop the tomatoes and set them aside.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot along with the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine all the ingredients and bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer you let the sauce cook, the more the flavors will meld together and the richer the sauce will become.
5. After the sauce has simmered for at least 20 minutes, stir in the tomato paste and sugar (if using). Let the sauce simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency.
6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or sugar to taste.
7. Once the sauce is done, you can let it cool and then portion it into freezer-safe containers to enjoy at a later date. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, use it as a base for pizza, or add it to any dish that could use a flavorful tomato sauce. Enjoy the taste of summer all year round with this simple and delicious homemade spaghetti sauce made from frozen tomatoes.