Delia Smith Tomato Sauce

Delia Smith’s Tomato Sauce is made with ripe red tomatoes, olive oil, onion, garlic, fresh basil, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. This tasty Delia Smith Tomato Sauce recipe creates a delicious pasta sauce that takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.

Delia Smith Tomato Sauce Ingredients

• 1.15 kg (2.5 lbs) ripe red tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 medium onion (about 110g / 4 oz), chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 12 large fresh basil leaves
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

How To Make Delia Smith Tomato Sauce

1. Chop the tomatoes: Heat the oil in a casserole dish.
2. Cook the onion and garlic: Add them to the casserole and cook for 5-6 minutes until soft and light gold.
3. Add the tomatoes: Add them with a third of the basil, torn into pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer the sauce. Cook on low heat, uncovered, for about 1½ – 1¾ hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and most of the liquid has evaporated.
5. Blend the sauce: Use a hand blender to blend the sauce a bit, leaving some texture. Stir in the rest of the basil leaves.
6. Serve: Mix with pasta and top with grated Parmesan. Cook the pasta 1 minute less than usual, then mix it with the sauce for 1 more minute before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor. Overripe tomatoes work particularly well.
• Cook the onion and garlic slowly until they’re soft and light gold. This builds a richer flavor in the sauce.
• Stir the sauce occasionally while it simmers to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Adjust seasoning at the end of cooking. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
• Blend the sauce lightly for a bit of texture. Don’t over-blend; a few chunks add to the sauce’s richness.

What To Serve With Tomato Sauce?

This tasty tomato sauce pairs well with pasta, gnocchi, pizza, or grilled chicken. It can also be served alongside roasted vegetables, garlic bread, a fresh green salad, or risotto for a delicious dinner.

How To Store Leftover Tomato Sauce?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover tomato sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. Place it in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, move the sauce to the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as needed.

How To Reheat Leftover Tomato Sauce?

• In The Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the sauce in an ovenproof dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot.
• In The Microwave: Transfer the sauce to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through.
• On The Stove: Pour the sauce into a saucepan. Heat over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is hot and evenly heated.

Delia Smith Tomato Sauce Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1/4 cup (approx. 60g)

• Calories: 60
• Total Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 180mg
• Potassium: 300mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 7g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 4g
• Protein: 2g

Try More Delia Smith Recipes: 

• Delia Smith Celery Soup
• Delia Smith Coronation Chicken Recipe
• Delia Smith Black Forest Gateau
• Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon