How to Make a Homemade Tomato Sauce

2 Large cans of crushed tomato

1 Large can of diced tomato

1 Small can of tomato paste

1 ½ cups of water

3 cloves of fresh garlic

1 tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil

Seasonings (fresh or dry):

2 teaspoons each of salt, pepper, garlic salt

1 tablespoon each of basil and parsley

2 teaspoons of sugar (trust me)

Your choice of pasta

The most difficult part, which is really quite simple, is preparing the fresh garlic. The easiest way I've found to do this is to take a large kitchen knife and lay it on its side on top of the garlic so the blade is parallel to the cutting board using your palm give the blade a nice smack. This will flatten the garlic a little bit, making it easier to remove the dry skin and chop them finely. Cut off any hard or brown spots and chop finely. That's it. That's the hardest part of this recipe.

Now for the super easy stuff, take your large sauce pot and place it on the stove over a low flame. Drizzle the oil over the bottom of pan and add seasonings and chopped garlic. The sugar balances out the acid in the tomatoes and keeps your sauce from being sour (literally.) Heat the mixed herbs, stirring constantly, until garlic turns a light brown color. Make sure that you don't burn the garlic. If this happens get three new cloves off of the bulb and start over! It really makes a difference. Next add the cans of tomato one at a time stirring as you go to incorporate the seasoning. Then using the cup and a half of water rinse each can and pour into sauce. Now all you really have to do is wait, and stir of course. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let cook for at least fifteen minutes. The longer it cooks the deeper the flavor will be and the smoother the consistency.

To cook the pasta just follow the directions on the package. Generally it calls for boiling the pasta in water for about nine minutes. Serve your tomato sauce over the pasta and cover with freshly grated parmesan. If you would like to serve with garlic bread just take your favorite loaf and butter one side, sprinkle with garlic salt and place in the oven at 350 for six minutes or until golden brown.