How to thicken spaghetti sauce made with fresh tomatoes?

Question

I have wondered this for a while now.

Answer 1

The simplest way to thicken a tomato sauce (or any sauce for that matter) is to reduce it. Let the sauce cook over medium low heat until it is the consistency you want. Stir occasionally so you don't burn it.

This works because the excess liquid evaporates -- and less liquid equals a thicker sauce. Reducing your sauce will also concentrate the flavors so you'll have a richer, more flavorful sauce.

If you're going to thicken your sauce using this method -- don't season your sauce until it is the consistency you want. The seasoning (especially salt) will concentrate as well, and you don't want to end up with a sauce that's too salty!

Answer 2

Cook the tomatoes and then drain them. Then make your sauce. You can thicken them buy adding paste or making your own paste. Take some of the tomatoes and puree them and cook the puree until very thick. this is your paste. Last way would be a slurry with corn starch. The Italians do not do this.

Answer 3

Just let it cook down on it's own, but that might take a while so grab a spoon and start skimming the sauce off and and put it in a freezer safe container and freeze it because you can use it to make tomato soup later on when you get hungry again that is what i do.

Answer 4

yes all the answers regarding the cooking for a long period are the correct ones when using fresh tomatoes. they will reduce as they simmer and thickness comes in about 5 hours. long process but delicious.be sure to add at least 1 tablespoon of tomatoe paste though for extra zip.

Answer 5

Hey Brian,

I have four really easy ways:

1). Add tomato paste - It sweetens it a little, though.

2). Add grated Parmesan cheese.

3). Blend part or all of it. (An immersion blender -- looks like a boat motor-- works best, but a counter top blender works well too.

4). Add bread crumbs -- or stale bread if you are using the blender method.

They all work well and most don't affect the taste that much.

Good Eating!

James in San Diego.

Answer 6

Cook it for hours. When I make a fresh tomato sauce I keep it simmering for at least 3 hours

Answer 7

My mother-in-law makes her own spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes and when she fixes the spaghetti she adds plain oatmeal to it, it thickens it up some.
Hope this helps

Answer 8

Patience at medium high will reduce a good tomato sauce in a short time.

Answer 9

Definately use tomato paste

Answer 10

Put tomato paste in it.