fresh chopped tomatoes in a skillet with oil and garlic

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My fresh tomato sauce with basil pays homage to summer tomatoes. There is nothing better than a delicious, in season summer tomato. Farmers markets and roadside vegetable stands often have some of the freshest and most delicious tomatoes out there. (Can you tell it is summer when I’m writing this and those tomatoes are fabulous?) However, tomatoes you find at the grocery store will work just fine in this recipe since you are cooking them down.  And lets face it, you can’t always get farm stand tomatoes around the country.  Just pick the freshest tomatoes you can find and use a wide variety for a great sauce. I like to get a variety of different tomato types (heirloom, beefsteak, plum, cherry, etc.) and chop them into large chunks. They will break down as they cook.  You certainly can chop them smaller if you like (this is your sauce so do as you prefer).

This recipe is fast and can be used to top pasta like my Shrimp, Linguine & Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe or to top chicken and fish. Try it…you may never buy a jarred sauce again.

To get started, cut up your tomatoes.  Larger tomatoes should be cut into large chunks, medium tomatoes into quarters and cherry tomatoes or Compari tomatoes can be cut in half.  Season them with salt and pepper.

fresh chopped tomatoes on a cutting board
fresh chopped tomatoes on a cutting board with salt and pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic and saute until the garlic is soft and fragrant.  About two minutes.  Add all the chopped tomatoes, oregano, and onion powder and stir to combine.

garlic cooking in olive oil
tomatoes and salt and pepper in skillet with oil and garlic

Cook until the tomatoes have released all their juices and get soft.  The tomato juice will combine with the oil and garlic to create a very light sauce.  This should take about 10 minutes.  Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.  Tear fresh basil and add to the sauce.  It is now ready to serve over pasta.

If you aren’t using right away, let the sauce cool completely and put in a container with a lid.  Refrigerate for up to a week.  Just reheat on the stove when you are ready to use.

cooked tomatoes, oil and garlic with seasoning

This is not a traditional, heavy red pasta sauce.  This is light and just screams summer.  Give it a try for something new and fresh.  Looking for more traditional tomato sauces?  Try some of these recipes.

Tomato Butter Sauce

Marinara Sauce

Pee Wee’s Italian American Sunday Sauce

 

finished fresh tomato sauce
fresh chopped tomatoes in a skillet with oil and garlic

Fresh Tomato Sauce With Basil

Using the freshest tomatoes, garlic and basil, create a delicious fresh and fast tomato sauce.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Sauces
Cuisine General
Servings 4 Served

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 Heaping Cups of Mixed Chopped Tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 Tsp. Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tsp. Onion powder
  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Small handful of fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until the garlic is soft and fragrant. About 2 minutes.
  • Add all the chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper, oregano and onion powder and stir. Cook until the tomatoes release all their juices, get soft and create a light sauce. (About 10 minutes) Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Finish the sauce with fresh, torn basil leaves.
Keyword sauces
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