Name: Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro) Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PT-465468H2M40S
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 small onion (yellow or white), chopped or cut into thin slices (depending on preference); 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (good quality such as Colavita); 1 28 oz can of good quality whole peeled canned tomatoes (you can also use crushed tomatoes, or passata (tomato puree); 5-6 leaves of fresh basil, whole and washed; Salt and Pepper to taste

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The BEST Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro)! This is a go-to, easy, classic, and flavorful tomato sauce recipe you will love! It comes together in less than 30 minutes with only 4 ingredients.

We call this our "Mother Sauce" of Italian cuisine. This delicious and authentic tomato sauce (sugo) is the base for Nonna's Famous Traditional Italian Meatballs (Polpette) and Classic Italian Ragu Recipe (Meat Sauce), Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce, and Baked Eggplant Slices Recipe with Ricotta Cheese.

Use as your favorite pizza sauce for our Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe.

a bowl of classic Italian tomato sauce with a wooden spoon in it.

Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe (Sugo)

Honestly, this is the best homemade tomato sauce recipe! It comes straight from our Italian kitchen, and I know you will love it too. Once you try this homemade tomato sauce, you'll never return to the jarred marinara sauce for your spaghetti sauce. It tastes like an Italian restaurant with half the cost.

If you have extra spaghetti with red sauce, make sure to make Fried Spaghetti Recipe with Leftover Pasta. It is a family favorite.

This recipe for Sugo al Pomodoro is my Nonna Laura's recipe. I grew up eating this sauce and now make it in my home for our family. It's the perfect sauce to serve with spaghetti and enjoy with a loaf of homemade bread!

Try this sauce in our Classic Italian Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce.

Simple Ingredients

The ingredient list is fairly simple, so the best quality ingredients will take this sauce from great to amazing!

Onion
Best quality olive oil (see recommendations)
Best-quality canned tomatoes (see recommendations)
Fresh basil leaves
Salt and Black Pepper to taste

How to Make Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe (Sugo al Pomodoro)

The process for this sauce is nostalgic for me as I saw my nonna and mother do it many times my entire life.

Start by slicing or dicing your onion. Add good-quality olive oil to the pan. Heat oil and place the onions in the pan to cook until translucent.

Then, add the canned tomatoes and stir occasionally as the sauce cooks for 20-25 minutes on low heat.

After turning off the heat, add a little salt and pepper, and the fresh basil, and stir to combine. The fresh basil at the end will add a depth of fresh flavor to the sauce.

Try these delicious Italian pasta recipes Authentic Italian Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe and

Why Make Homemade Tomato Sauce?

Most canned tomato pasta sauces are filled with a dozen ingredients and spices. The overdone sauce complicates the pure sweet flavor of the tomato itself.

The key is using the right canned tomatoes and good quality olive oil as a base.

Italian recipes are mostly simple- a few fresh ingredients create a balanced combination of flavors that complement one another perfectly. This is the authentic Italian way!

a bowl of classic Italian tomato sauce with basil leaves as garnish.

Can I use my canned tomatoes for this Italian tomato sauce recipe?

Absolutely! I encourage it. If you harvest and can your own fresh tomatoes in the summer months, they are perfect for this simple sauce. You will highlight the freshness of the tomatoes with this minimalist Italian tomato sauce recipe.

What canned tomatoes should I use for Sugo al Pomodoro?

For this recipe, we use the best-canned tomatoes we can find. Picked at the peak of ripeness and properly packaged, the right canned tomatoes are perfect for this classic Italian tomato sauce recipe.

Don't use a brand that uses a lot of citric acids to preserve freshness- or it can make the sauce acidic. If you end up with a sauce that is a little acidic, add a teaspoon of sugar.

I like to use whole tomatoes, such as San Marzano. Whole tomatoes are less processed since they aren't diced or crushed by a machine. Use the best quality tomatoes for this easy homemade tomato sauce, and you will use this sauce on and with everything. Try it with Easy Italian Style Nachos (sheet pan).

Brands I recommend

You can use whole peeled, crushed, petite diced, or a mix! You can use a variety of Italian tomatoes or locally sourced ones in the area where you live. The quality is the important part.

If you are interested in reading more in-depth about canned tomatoes the NY Times published a great article.

Olive Oil Variety

I don't cut corners regarding quality extra virgin olive oil. Flavorful olive oil is a good base for any recipe.

Olive Oil Brands

I recommend using high-quality ingredients. You will really taste the flavor difference, and it is worth it! These are the olive oil brands you can find at most grocery stores in the United States.

Extra-virgin Olive Oil brands- DeLallo, Colavita, Bertolli, California Olive Ranch, HemisFares , and Spectrum.

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Italian Sugo Variations

This Authentic Italian Sugo al Pomodoro recipe is as simple and rustic. If you want to vary the recipe, try these variations the next time you make it.

Add a couple of cloves of fresh garlic.
Fresh herbs such as fresh oregano, fresh thyme, or fresh rosemary
A dash of Italian seasoning with dried herbs
Add a bit of fresh parsley as a garnish

How to serve Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro)

This delicious tomato sauce pairs perfectly with long or short pasta, simply topped with freshly grated Parmigiano or parmesan cheese. You can also use it as a dip for crusty bread to create a simple meal on its own.

You can also serve it over Easy Polenta Recipe Authentic Italian Style, BEST Pillowy Soft Potato Gnocchi, or Authentic Homemade Pappardelle Pasta Recipe.

Don't forget to make a batch of easy homemade bread to soak up the extra sauce! Fast Italian No Knead Ciabatta Bread, No Knead Italian Focaccia Bread, or Softest No Knead Bread Italian Recipe.

More suggestions: this is a great sauce to use as a dip for crispy chicken wings,

How to store Italian Tomato Sauce

This sauce is perfect for making ahead and storing in the refrigerator or freezer so you can have it on hand anytime!

Fridge- store prepared tomato sauce in Mason jars or tightly sealed airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Freezer - as long as the cooked sauce is sealed in a proper container or in a proper freezer bag it will last several months in the freezer.

I always have this sauce on hand as we eat it weekly and I use it as a base for several other Italian recipes!

Can I double this tomato sauce recipe?

Yes! Absolutely. I often make a double batch, or even triple, and store the extra in the refrigerator or freezer.

Authentic Italian tomato sauce story

I wrote this story, Saturday Story: Sweet Summer Mornings, for a high school English class, and it sums up my memories of this Authentic Sugo al Pomodoro that my Nonna Laura made multiple times a week.

Other Recipes for YOU:

An authentic and delicious Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro) passed down through generations! This will become a staple in your home too.

Make sure to leave a ⭐️star rating on the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.

I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena so I can see your delicious Italian recipes. To get more ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro) Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

Print Recipe

Easy Creamy Polenta Recipe Authentic ItalianFresh, flavorful and light taste, a simple authentic recipe for classic Italian tomato sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro). Great for any pasta dish! Add chicken or fresh mozzarella and make it a meal!

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 small onion (yellow or white), chopped or cut into thin slices (depending on preference)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (good quality such as Colavita)
1 28 oz can of good quality whole peeled canned tomatoes (you can also use crushed tomatoes, or passata (tomato puree)
5-6 leaves of fresh basil, whole and washed
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large saucepan or pot, medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion for about 6 minutes, until translucent.
Add canned tomatoes. Cover and let simmer on low-medium heat (the sauce should bubble, but not boil) after 10 minutes of cooking crush the whole tomatoes with a wooden spoon to break them up. You can also use an immersion blender.
Cook for 20-25 minutes until the liquid reduces slightly. Stir occasionally during cooking.
Turn off the heat and add the basil to the sauce. Add salt and a bit of pepper to taste. If you notice any bitterness you may add a teaspoon of sugar. If you notice the sauce isn't as thick as you like it add a tablespoon of good quality pure tomato paste.
Store in the fridge or freezer and use as a sauce for pasta, polenta, gnocchi, and more!

Notes

Storing Fridge- store prepared tomato sauce in Mason jars or tightly sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to one week. Freezer - as long as the cooked sauce is sealed in a proper container or in a proper freezer bag it will last several months in the freezer.