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Jamie Oliver Tomato Garlic Sauce

Jamie Oliver Tomato Garlic Sauce
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Jamie Oliver’s tomato garlic sauce is a classic Italian-inspired sauce made by gently cooking garlic in olive oil before simmering it with tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings until rich, smooth, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced or minced

  • 1 small onion, finely diced

  • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes (or 800g ripe fresh tomatoes)

  • 2 tablespoons tomato purée

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

  • A handful of fresh basil leaves

  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 100ml vegetable stock or water (if needed)

Optional Ingredients

  • Crushed red pepper flakes

  • Fresh thyme

  • Parmesan rind

  • Fresh parsley

  • Balsamic vinegar

  • Butter for extra richness

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Finely chop the onion and garlic before you begin cooking. Having everything prepared in advance allows the sauce to cook smoothly without rushing through each stage.

Step 2: Cook the Onion

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and cook gently for 6–8 minutes until soft and translucent. Avoid browning the onion, as you want a naturally sweet base for the sauce.

Step 3: Add the Garlic

Stir in the sliced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can make the entire sauce bitter.

Step 4: Stir in the Tomato Purée

Add the tomato purée and cook for about one minute. This brief cooking time helps remove any raw taste while deepening the overall tomato flavor.

Step 5: Add the Tomatoes

Pour in the chopped tomatoes along with the oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar if using. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 6: Simmer Gently

Reduce the heat and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the sauce cooks, it will thicken naturally and develop a richer, deeper flavor.

Step 7: Blend (Optional)

For a silky smooth sauce, use an immersion blender or carefully transfer the sauce to a blender until smooth. If you prefer a rustic texture, simply leave the sauce as it is.

Step 8: Add Fresh Basil

Stir in the fresh basil during the final few minutes of cooking. This preserves its fresh aroma and bright flavor.

Step 9: Taste and Adjust

Taste the finished sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, herbs, or a splash of balsamic vinegar to balance the flavors.

Step 10: Serve

Serve immediately over freshly cooked pasta or use the sauce in your favorite Italian-inspired recipes.

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/tomato-garlic-sauce/