Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (2024)

Published: by Dina

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This easy Pomodoro Sauce Recipe is thick, smooth, and delicious. It tastes amazing over pasta, but is versatile enough to be used in so many other dishes.

For other tasty Italian recipes, you should try our Margherita pizza and quick spaghetti and meat sauce.

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (1)
Table Of Contents
  • Recipe Details
  • What You’ll Need
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Add-ins and Substitutions
  • How to Make Pomodoro Sauce
  • Recipe Tips
  • FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Make This Recipe in Advance
  • More Yummy Sauces!
  • Full Recipe Instructions

Recipe Details

I just love this simple Pomodoro Sauce. It’s got great flavor is, doesn’t take long to make, and works with lots of dishes, making it my go-to when it’s pasta night.

  • TASTE: This sauce has the sweetness of the tomatoes with the pungent flavor of the onion and garlic. Fresh basil adds some hints of citrus and spice.
  • TEXTURE: Smoothly textured and thick with deliciously fresh ingredients, this tomato-based sauce is perfect with so many dishes.
  • TIME: This Pomodoro Sauce takes about 30 minutes.
  • EASE: It’s really easy to make this sauce and it uses only a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand in your kitchen.

What You’ll Need

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (2)

Ingredient Notes

  • Canned tomatoes- We’ll use whole peeled tomatoes because they add thickness to the sauce and keep it from getting runny.
  • Basil- Use fresh basil leaves for this recipe because it adds more aromatic flavor than dried herbs.
  • Sugar- This little bit of sweetness counteracts the acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce smoother.

Add-ins and Substitutions

  • Use fresh tomatoes- If you like, you can substitute fresh chopped tomatoes in this recipe. You can also use diced tomatoes, but not tomato sauce.
  • Add parmesan cheese- Give this Pomodoro Sauce a nutty, cheesy flavor with the addition of some parmesan cheese.
  • Add meat- Beef up this sauce with some ground beef, sausage, or shrimp.
  • Make it spicy- Add some red pepper flakes to give this sauce a little heat.

How to Make Pomodoro Sauce

  • Prep the onion and garlic.Chop half a yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves.
  • Cook them.Place the minced garlic and onion in a pan with extra virgin olive oil. Over medium heat, stir the ingredients until the onion turns translucent.
  • Blend the tomatoes. In a blender, pulse the whole peeled tomatoes until they are pureed, about 5 pulses.
Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (3)
  • Add the tomatoes.Pour the pureed tomatoes into the pan and stir over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes.
  • Season the sauce.Add the sugar, salt, and basil leaves. Cook for another 5 minutes and then serve hot.

Pro Tip:Tear the basil leaves rather than chop them to preserve the essential oils and add more flavor.

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (4)

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t rush the onions and garlic- Cooking these two first is important because they need time to soften and release their aromatic flavors.
  • Pulse the tomatoes just enough- You want this sauce to end up being thick with small pieces of tomato. Under-blending will leave it too chunky. Over-blending will result in a runnier sauce.
  • Don’t skip the sugar- This adds a little sweetness that balances out the salt and acidity in the recipe.
Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (5)

FAQs

What is Pomodoro sauce made of?

This Pomodoro sauce is made with fresh, flavorful ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil, Garlic cloves, Yellow onion, a can of Whole peeled tomatoes, Sugar, Kosher salt, and Basil leaves.

What is the difference between Pomodoro sauce and marinara sauce?

Pomodoro sauce may have similar ingredients to marinara, but the big difference is in their textures. Marinara is more liquid and runnier, and it is often chunky. Pomodoro is thicker and smoothly textured.

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (6)

Serving Suggestions

This Pomodoro Sauce is so versatile, you’ll want to make it all the time. It works with pasta, pizza, and as a base for soups.

  • Pasta: Add this sauce to your favorite pastas, or try it on this Cajun Chicken Pasta, Rasta Pasta, or Creamy Tomato and Mushroom Rotini Pasta.
  • Pizza: Use it as the sauce on a Margherita Pizza, Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza, or with some Homemade Pizza Dough.
  • Soup: Make it the base for a soup, like Tortellini Soup or Homemade Chicken Meatball Soup.
  • Sandwiches/Bread: Dip a Grilled Cheese Sandwich into this tasty sauce. Or use Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks and Garlic Cheese Bread.

Make This Recipe in Advance

Make ahead: Once the sauce has cooled, you can then store it in your refrigerator. Just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop when you are ready to serve it.

Storing: Keep this Pomodoro Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freeze: Just place the cooled sauce in ziplock freezer bags and lay them flat in your freezer. Then when they are completely frozen, stand them up to save room. Defrost it in the fridge before warming it for serving.

More Yummy Sauces!

  • Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
  • Potato Gnocchi Recipe with Parmesan Sauce
  • Pesto Gnocchi Recipe
  • Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.

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Full Recipe Instructions

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (11)

Easy Pomodoro Sauce Recipe

This delicious and Easy Pomodoro Sauce recipe is so versatile and easy to make. The results and thick, smooth, and fresh.

Print Pin Rate

Course: condiments

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 162kcal

Author: Dina

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 small yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1/4 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1/4 kosher salt or to taste
  • About 5 basil leaves

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Chop up 1/2 a small yellow onion and mince up 2 garlic cloves.

  • Then add the onion and garlic to a pan filled with 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.

  • Stir the onion and garlic until the onion becomes translucent.

  • Now add 1 (28 oz) can of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes into a blender and pulse it into the tomatoes are puréed. About 5 pulses.

    Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (12)

  • Now add the puréed tomatoes to the pan and stir over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes.

  • Now add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 5 chopped basil leaves.

  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes and serve over hot buttered pasta.

    Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (13)

Notes

  • Don’t rush the onions and garlic- Cooking these two first is important because they need time to soften and release their aromatic flavors.
  • Pulse the tomatoes just enough- You want this sauce to end up being thick with small pieces of tomato. Under-blending will leave it too chunky. Over-blending will result in a runnier sauce.
  • Don’t skip the sugar- This adds a little sweetness that balances out the salt and acidity in the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 285mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo of it and tag me on Instagram @simplyhomecooked or use the hashtag #simplyhomecooked so I can see it and feature it!

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Dina

Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. RNangel says

    Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (16)
    Delicious…and quick & easy. I added some crushed red pepper to the onion/garlic when onions were soft, and to the tomatoes in blender, I added a few sun dried tomatoes (the kind in oil), then blended. Have added this recipe to my Favorites page:)

    Reply

    • Dina says

      Yay! I am so happy to hear this pomodoro sauce recipe will be a repeat in your home! Very happy that you enjoyed this recipe and thank you so much for your feedback! I hope you find more delicious recipes to enjoy from my food blog! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Wendy King says

    Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (17)
    Love it!!

    Reply

    • Dina says

      Thank you Wendy! 🙂 Very happy to hear you loved this pomodoro sauce! 🙂

      Reply

    • Dina says

      Thank you!

      Reply

  3. Leona So says

    Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (18)
    Easy and delicious sauce , I made this sauce exactly like you said .it came out so rich and flavorful it could not be easier thanks as always your faithful reader.

    Reply

    • Dina says

      Thank you, Leona 🙂 So happy that you loved this pomodoro sauce! Always thankful for your support and feedback! 🙂

      Reply

  4. Mari says

    Hi Dina! I really want to make this sauce and I’m wondering if I need to drain the tomatoes. It looks delicious!!

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dina says

      Hi Mari, no need to drain the tomatoes. I hope you love this recipe! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Joy Panem says

    Keep up the good work

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Thank you Joy! 🙂

      Reply

Pomodoro Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is pomodoro sauce made of? ›

Pomodoro means “tomato” in Italian, so the term “pomodoro sauce” is quite general. However, true authentic pomodoro sauce, the way I understand it, is made from 5 specific ingredients: fresh tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, basil and salt. Onions are optional. No spices.

What is the difference between pomodoro sauce and marinara sauce? ›

In general, Pomodoro sauce is usually thicker because chefs use crushed tomatoes as the base. On the other hand, marinara usually includes oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic cloves, basil leaves, bay leaves, and tomatoes. Some variations use extra virgin olive oil and red wine, which can also make the sauce thinner.

What is Pomodorina sauce made of? ›

Pomodorina - Pomodorina sauce

A special condiment prepared with fresh diced tomato, fresh vegetables mirepoix, aromatic herbs and oil.

What is another name for pomodoro sauce? ›

Tomato sauce (also known as salsa roja in Spanish, sauce tomate in French or salsa di pomodoro in Italian) can refer to many different sauces made primarily from tomatoes, usually to be served as part of a dish, rather than as a condiment.

Does pomodoro taste like marinara? ›

Compared with marinara, pomodoro is hardly a sauce: Seeded, diced tomatoes get cooked with fresh garlic and olive oil into a mixture that just coats pasta. Taste: Pomodoro and marinara sauce recipes call for similar ingredients, so their differences in flavor are nuanced and depend on the ingredients you use.

What does pomodoro sauce taste like? ›

What does pomodoro taste like? Pomodoro has a fresh, bright flavor with a hint of sweetness from the tomatoes. The garlic and basil add depth and complexity to the flavor of the sauce. Pomodoro sauce has a balanced and savory flavor that is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.

Why is it called pomodoro sauce? ›

Univerbation of pomo (“apple”) +‎ d' (“of”) +‎ oro (“gold”), literally “golden apple”. Possibly owing to the fact that the first varieties of tomatoes arriving in Europe and spreading from Spain to Italy and North Africa were yellow.

Can you buy pomodoro sauce? ›

SAUCE,POMODORO 24 OZ - Walmart.com.

What's the difference between pomodoro and arrabiata sauce? ›

The difference between Pomodoro and arrabiata is that arrabiata contains red chili peppers and is spicy compared to the mild flavor of Pomodoro sauce. Both sauces are tomato based and incorporate garlic and Italian spices.

Should I put sugar in pomodoro sauce? ›

It's best to make your sauce without sugar at first, then taste it and add a pinch if necessary. There are also ways to sweeten sauces that don't rely on refined sugar. Giada De Laurentiis uses carrots to add a more nuanced touch of sweetness.

What is pomodoro vs bolognese? ›

Pomodoro Sauce vs Bolognese - What Is The Difference? Pomodoro sauce is a simple tomato-based sauce made with just a few ingredients, while bolognese sauce is a classic slow-simmered meat sauce of Bologna, Italy. While both include tomatoes, Bolognese sauce is much richer, heartier and much more complex to create.

What is the difference between pomodoro and palomino sauce? ›

Pomodoro is a traditional red sauce. Puttanesca is Mediterranean inspired sauce with olives capers and anchovy. Palomino is a red sauce with a touch of cream.

Are San Marzano tomatoes the same as pomodoro? ›

It is an heirloom variety. Canned San Marzanos, when grown in the Valle del Sarno (valley of the Sarno) in Italy in compliance with Italian law, can be classified as pomodoro San Marzano dell'agro sarnese-nocerino and have the EU "DOP" emblem on the label.

Is marinara or pomodoro better for pizza? ›

It will mostly depend on how you want to use them. If you're making homemade pizza, a rich and smooth pomodoro is your BFF. But if you want some texture to add depth to a pasta dish (or even rework it into a whole new meal), a chunkier marinara may be in order.

What happened to pasta pomodoro? ›

In 2002, Wendy's International acquired a 25% stake in the company. The chain, including the Wendy's share, was acquired by two Bay Area "foodies" in early 2010. On December 26, 2016, the company abruptly closed all 15 remaining restaurants in the chain, all in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Is Pomodoro sauce the same as tomato sauce? ›

While they're both sauces made from tomato, garlic, and olive oil, there are some key differences. Sugo di pomodoro is about rich tomato flavor, a characteristic amplified by fewer aromatic additions and a smooth consistency. Its thick texture sticks to pasta and can be used as a base to make other sauces.

What is the difference between Bolognese and pomodoro sauce? ›

Pomodoro Sauce vs Bolognese - What Is The Difference? Pomodoro sauce is a simple tomato-based sauce made with just a few ingredients, while bolognese sauce is a classic slow-simmered meat sauce of Bologna, Italy. While both include tomatoes, Bolognese sauce is much richer, heartier and much more complex to create.

Is pomodoro Italian for tomato? ›

In 1548, a Tuscan steward described the tomato as a “pomi d'oro” or “golden fruit;” this led to the modern Italian word for the food, “pomodoro.”

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