If I am making spaghetti, what ingredients should I use to make the tomato sauce?

Question

I usually use that canned Prego sauce, but Im out. If I have just regular tomato sauce, what should I add to it for better flavor? I was thinking of adding some garlic, basil, and maybe some sliced mushrooms and/or onions....am i right? Or is there anything I should add or leave out?
Thanks!!

Answer 1

TOMATO SAUCE
This quick and easy tomato sauce is the base for two meals: spaghetti marinara and steamed mussels with tomato broth.
We call for canned tomatoes because most of the fresh ones available in the wintertime have a bland flavor and mealy texture.

Sugar will help round out the flavor if your tomatoes are too acidic. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like your sauce to have a bit of heat.

The leftover sauce also freezes well for future meals.

2 medium onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 (28- to 32-oz) cans whole tomatoes in juice
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon sugar (optional), or to taste



Cook onions and garlic in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
Add tomatoes, including juice, and salt, then simmer gently, uncovered, stirring and mashing tomatoes with a fork occasionally, until sauce is thickened and reduced to about 5 cups, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

If sauce tastes too acidic, add sugar and cook 5 minutes more.

Cooks' note:
• Sauce can be made 5 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, then chilled, covered.
• Sauce can be frozen in an airtight container 3 months.

Makes about 5 cups.

Answer 2

Although there are very many variations on the main theme, here is what my sweet Italian grandmother taught me about making the best spaghetti sauce in Italy!
Ingredients: 1 can Italian plum tomatoes, put thru the food mill or blender to puree them.(or use canned puree but it's not as good) THEN:
Lightly brown 3 cloves garlic in xvirgin oliveoil and add tomatoes. Cook 5 minutes. Then add the following: 1 bay leaf, 1 cup fresh basil leaves(washed) salt & pepper (to taste) 1teaspn. red hot pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon dried oragano(or use fresh and add 2 teaspoons) Cook for 40 min and stir every 15 min. to scrape up the bits from the bottom of the sauce. Remove garlic and bay leafand cooked basil leaves.
With this basic recipe you can add anything you like, ie: chopped green peppers, sliced red vinegar peppers to use as a sauce for pork orchicken,ETC.... You might like to get yourself a good cookbook, like LYDIA or Mario from FoodNetworkShows. They'll give you all sorts of quick ideas,too! Bon Appetite!!

Answer 3

Basic Tomato Sauce
1 medium onion chopped
2 cans (14.5oz ) stewed tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 large cans tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon dried or fresh basil
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
salt & pepper to taste
1 (10 oz) package sliced mushrooms

Saute the onions and mushrooms in some olive oil until soft and the onions are slightly golden. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes stirring and adjusting the taste to suit.
Just before serving I like to add a handfull of grated parmesan cheese to the sauce for additinal flavor.

Answer 4

The best tomatoes are key. Try using Muir Glen. They are the best tasting canned tomato I can find. Then make sure to add garlic, salt and pepper, a little bit of sugar (to take away the bite of the acidity), basil and a bay leaf. I found that if you saute onions in EVOO first, then add some tomato paste and cook together, you get a thicker sauce. Then add the canned tomato sauce or puree. Buon appetito!

Answer 5

Sounds like you are on the right road. I just made mine last night in preparation for today.

2 large cans crushed tomatoes
2 small cans chicken broth/stock
1 med to large white onion chopped
4 cloves of garlic smashed and chopped
olive oil
salt and pepper
oregano or Italian seasoning or parsley
1 bay leaf

Saute your onion and garlic in olive oil. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for as long as you like to develop flavor. Depending on the quality of the canned tomatoes I may have to add a little more salt and pepper and usually some sugar.

Answer 6

Take garlic & onions and sautee in butter or olive oil. After a few minutes, add mushrooms & cook a few more minutes. Take tomato sauce & stir in onion mixture, then add 1 can chopped tomatos, 1/2 stick butter & a splash of beer. Yummy......I always use extra ground beef for a meaty sauce.

Answer 7

I suggest chopping the onion and mushroom and sauteeing in a little bit of butter. If you have any red or green pepper, add those and do the same. Put in the sauce, and add a can of diced tomatoes. While cooking, add a generous amount of garlic, parsely and if you have a bay leaf, chuck it in. I like to add 2 tblspns of salsa to my spaghetti sauce for a bit of a kick, but of course, it's optional.

Answer 8

Bell pepper is always good. And diced tomatoes. Try adding garlic powder, olive oil, basil, pepper, red pepper flakes (these are potent), oregano, and even a bit of sugar. Just experiement until it tastes goog, lol. And definitely cook up some ground beef to go in there.

Answer 9

The items you chose are great. Whenever I cook sauce, I add a little bit of sugar. Just a hint will make the flavor wonderful.

Answer 10

This is what I put in mine:
Minced Garlic
Onions
Bell Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Cajun Season or salt/pepper to taste
Parsley and a Bay leaf