I started making my own pasta sauce a couple years ago and I have to say it is sooooo much better than just buying a jar at the store.  Plus it’s much healthier and cheaper too.  I took my moms recipe and adjusted it a bit.  Letting it simmer on the stove all day on Sunday makes the house smell so good!  Although I think anything with garlic smells delicious:)

How good does this look!  It was a total of $5.25 to make this entire pot in the photo(well not including the spices but once you buy the spices you can use them over and over) so if you have to buy everything the 1st time around to make a double batch as I did it will cost about $10.  Plus you can make it taste exactly the way you like it.

The Recipe:

Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in a large pot

Add 3 cloves minced garlic to heated oil,  cook to soften but not browned

Add 1- 28oz can tomato puree + 1-28oz can crushed tomatoes

Add 2 cans 6oz size tomato paste

Stir well.

Add:

2 TBSP salt- I use kosher salt

2 TSP basil- if you bought crushed tomatoes with basil you may want to add less basil here

2 TSP oregano

1/4 TSP fennel seed

crushed black pepper- I add A LOT of pepper because that’s how I like it

Stir well.

Sometimes I add crushed red pepper flakes and/or browned sausage to the sauce- both very great additions!  If it’s too thick for your taste you can add a little water.

Simmer on the stove for a least an hour stirring every so often.

I make a big batch and freeze it in smaller portions.  Perfect for quick weeknight dinners:)  I doubled the recipe here and it’s probably equal to 6 jars that you would buy at the store.

Try making some and letting it simmer as you watch the JETS game this Sunday!  Go Jets

Enjoy!