Simple Vegan Tomato Sauce

3 jars of tomato sauce with garlic cloves and basil leaves in the background.

5 from 1 vote

Simple yet rich in flavor, this vegan tomato sauce is a classic condiment to have in your kitchen! It requires minimal prep, and all you need is a handful of simple ingredients. You can make this sauce with fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes for convenience.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Sauces

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: ½ cup serving

Calories: 55kcal

Author: Meesha

Equipment

cast iron skillet

Ingredients

½ yellow onion finely diced
½ carrot finely diced
½ stalk celery finely diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes *see notes if using fresh tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped basil
1 teaspoon maple syrup optional

Instructions

Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick pan or small Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Saute until translucent, for about 2-3 minutes.
½ yellow onion, ½ carrot, ½ stalk celery
Add garlic next, and fry for a minute until fragrant.
3 cloves garlic
Now, pour in crushed tomatoes along with oregano and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and let it cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or up to an hour.
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Remove from heat, and stir in chopped basil along with maple syrup. Give everything a good stir, and your vegan tomato sauce is ready to be used.
2 tablespoons chopped basil, 1 teaspoon maple syrup

Notes

Instructions for fresh tomatoes – You will need around 2lb of fresh tomatoes.

After rinsing and coring tomatoes, score an “x” at the bottom. Blanch them for 30-60 seconds in boiling water. Transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water.

Peel the tomatoes, then finely dice them. They are ready to be used.

Helpful tips

Adjust the consistency of tomato sauce – Tomato sauce might thicken too much during cooking. You can add a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Adjust the seasoning – After cooking, taste the dish and add more salt or sugar as needed.
For a smoother sauce - For a smoother texture, blend part or all of the sauce using a blender or immersion blender, adjusting it to your preferred consistency.

Fridge – Vegan tomato sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week, and it’s best stored in a sealed mason jar.

Freezer – This sauce can be frozen for 3 months. Highly recommend using these souper cubes to portion tomato sauce before freezing. Or, you can freeze it using zip-top bags.

Nutrition