Every time you buy a jar of pasta sauce, an Italian grandmother dies a little inside.

Alright people, enough with the shenanigans. No more store-bought pasta sauce.

Home made pasta sauce is actually incredibly easy. It does take a bit of time, but if you make a big enough batch, you can always freeze it for the future. Future sauce!

Here’s how to make your own Italian inspired, mouth-watering sauce:

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 cup of finely chopped onion
• 2 cans of peeled plum tomatoes (2x 16 oz/450 ml)
• 2 cans of crushed tomatoes (2x 16 oz/450 ml)
• 1 small can of tomato paste
• 2 Bay leaves
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• **I also add a bunch of Italian seasonings, whatever I have in the cupboard. Usually:
  • 1 tsp Thyme
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1 tbsp Parsley
  • 1 tbsp Basil

Step 1: Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a large saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 cup of finely chopped onions. Cook until onions are tender and translucent (about 8 minutes).

Step 2: Add all of the remaining ingredients, stirring them until combined. 

Step 3: Simmer on low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Serve warm over your favourite pasta

ENJOY!

TIPS:

You don’t have to follow the recipe exactly, but don’t forget to add the sugar. It helps bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.

Season your sauce 3 times: once at the beginning, middle, and end.