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    Oh My Veggies » Cooking Tips & Hints

    How to Make and Freeze Homemade Tomato Sauce

    Published: Sep 6, 2015 · by Lindsey · Updated: Aug 6, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Homemade Freezer Spaghetti Sauce
    Homemade Freezer Spaghetti Sauce

    At the end of every summer, my grandmothers would preserve bushel after bushel of peaches, pears, tomatoes, jam, plums, etc, etc. I learned how to can from the best! And while I still enjoy canning when I have the time and desire (which isn't this year, sadly), I really love using my freezer to preserve food.

    It's so easy to make and freeze fresh, homemade tomato sauce. If your garden is brimming with juicy, ripe tomatoes—or if your local farm stand is—this is a great way to preserve a bit of summer all winter long. Plus, I think it tastes better than opening up a can or jar.

    How To Make Freezer Tomato Sauce

    Let's get started!

    The type of tomato you choose doesn't matter all that much. Just be sure to use ripe tomatoes that are brimming with flavor. Those woody, mealy, pinkish grocery store tomatoes won't cut it here. I use whatever is least expensive and looks the tastiest. You can even use a variety. For this particular sauce, I've used beefsteak tomatoes.

    Ten pounds of tomatoes looks and sounds like a lot, but they will cook down. This amount should make about 8 pints. The recipe can be easily be doubled or tripled. I do this process several times, working in batches, because I don't like to overload my small kitchen all at once.

    To help flavor the sauce, I add lots of diced onions, garlic and herbs. Fresh herbs are great, but dried will work, too. You can also add shredded or diced garden veggies like squash, carrots, celery, bell peppers, eggplant—whatever you like. I add a few small cans of tomato paste as well. This is optional, but it helps the sauce to thicken a bit more as it cooks and adds another layer of tomato flavor. But again, totally optional.

    Freezer Tomato Sauce - peeling tomatoes-2

    The easiest way to peel the tomatoes is to drop them into a pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds. The skins will slip right off. Let them cool a little bit to prevent burning your hands.

    Freezer Tomato Sauce - peeling tomatoes-3

    Next you can chop the tomatoes by hand, use a food processor or blender, squish them with your hands, or use a combination. (I don't need to tell you which one is more fun to do!) I like a combination of pureed and diced tomatoes, so that's what I do.

    Freezer Tomato Sauce - diced tomatoes

    After that, it's just like making any tomato pasta sauce: heat the olive oil, add the onions and garlic, saute until they start to soften, stir in the tomato paste (if you're using it), then add the chopped tomatoes. If you're using fresh herbs, you'll add those at the end, but dried herbs can be added at this point.

    Freezer Tomato Sauce - before

    Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours on medium-low heat. (You don't want the bottom to scorch.) This nice slow-and-low cooking will help bring out the flavor and soften the tomatoes. The extra liquid will evaporate as it cooks and the sauce will thicken and darken. It's magical.

    Once it's cooked down to a consistency you like, add the fresh herbs, if using, and season well with salt and pepper. If needed, add a little sugar or honey to balance out the acidity. Then it needs to cool down to room temperature before freezing.

    Freezer Spaghetti Sauce


    BPA-free plastic containers, resealable plastic freezer bags, or freezer-proof glass jars work great for freezing the sauce. Using plastic bags is a snap when it comes to thawing; they also stack nicely. Jars and plastic containers offer a little more protection against freezer burn, so they are better for longer-term freezing.

    And that's it!

    This post was originally published on September 9, 2014.

    How to Make + Freeze Homemade Tomato Sauce

    How to Make & Freeze Homemade Tomato Sauce

    Preserve summer's bounty! It's easy to make and freeze this large-batch Italian tomato sauce to enjoy all fall and winter long.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours
    Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Keyword: Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce, Homemade Tomato Sauce, How to Make & Freeze Homemade Tomato Sauce, Italian tomato sauce recipe
    Servings: 6 pints
    Calories: 300kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Equipment

    • Freezer Bags

    Ingredients

    • 10-11 pounds fresh tomatoes
    • 6 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 medium onions diced
    • 6 garlic cloves minced
    • 2 4-ounce cans tomato paste
    • 1-3 teaspoons sugar or honey to taste (optional)
    • ½ cup chopped fresh herbs or 2 tablespoons dried Italian herbs
    • 1 tablespoon salt plus more to taste
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper plus more to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Prepare the tomatoes:

    • Have a large bowl filled with cold water ready and waiting. Set a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Working in batches, drop the tomatoes in one at a time, then let sit in the boiling water until the skins split open, 30-60 seconds. One at a time, remove tomatoes from hot water with a slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl of cold water. When cool enough to touch, slip off and discard the tomato skins and remove the hard stem end and core. Trim away any bad spots. Roughly chop the tomato using a food processor or blender, a knife, or by squishing with clean hands. Set aside.

    Make the sauce:

    • Add the olive oil to an extra-large 8-10 quart stock pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the diced onions. Cook, stirring frequently with a large wooden spoon, until onions start to soften and turn golden, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan so it doesn't burn. Add the fresh tomatoes.
    • Bring just to a boil, then lower heat to medium-low and let simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours, until thickened. Stir occasionally to make sure the sauce at the bottom of the pan isn't burning.
    • Add sugar or honey, if desired, along with the herbs, salt, and pepper. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.

    Freeze the sauce:

    • Let the sauce cool completely. Pour into to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label well with date and contents, then transfer to the freezer. The sauce will last 3-4 months, or longer if you use a deep freeze.

    Notes

    The yield is approximate, depending on how much the sauce cooks down.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 1207mgPotassium: 1940mgFiber: 12gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 6373IUVitamin C: 109mgCalcium: 159mgIron: 4mg
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    Cooking Tips & Hints, Sauces, Spreads and Condiments, Vegetarian Recipes gluten-free, sauce, summer, tomatoes

    Lindsey Johnson from Cafe Johnsonia

    About Lindsey

    Lindsey Rose Johnson is a food stylist + photographer based in Boise, Idaho. She is a reformed picky eater and lover of whole foods. Lindsey blogs at CafeJohnsonia.com where she shares healthy gluten-free recipes.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beverly says

      September 09, 2014 at 8:18 am

      This is perfect! Thank you! I've gotten out of practice and needed this step-by-step refresher--very well done!

      Could you possibly do something similar for hot sauce? I have a glut of hot peppers this year. Usually, I just freeze them in zip bags to use one at a time, but my husband would really enjoy a bottle of our very own hot sauce! Might make a nice gift for others, too.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:38 pm

        That's a great idea, Beverly! Thanks for the kind words.

        Reply
      • Sharon Farley says

        August 22, 2021 at 9:24 pm

        This recipe was perfect for me! Thank you for the step by step directions. The tomato sauce was delicious!

        Reply
    2. Kelly - A Side of Sweet says

      September 09, 2014 at 10:49 am

      This is so helpful! I just went to a tomato sauce canning party and it takes so much time to can tomatoes! I think I might try freezing some too next time!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:38 pm

        Now that's my kind of party!

        Reply
    3. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

      September 09, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      i have always wanted to try doing this during summer but never happens..its so much easier than canning.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:39 pm

        Yes! SO much easier! I'm about ready to make a few more batches. We've already gone through a bunch. ha

        Reply
      • John says

        August 18, 2021 at 7:09 am

        I've just made some of this using some of the damaged tomatoes coming out of my greenhouse. I added courgette to the mix and it is delicious. I didn't bother to remove the skins first as we don't mind the skins in our food, I'm not sure why anyone does to be honest. I will make a few more batches before the end of the summer and perhaps add some chilli tothe mix too.

        Reply
    4. Francesca says

      September 09, 2014 at 1:39 pm

      Woah - you guys are kinda blowing my mind with this sandwich bag idea.... so smart!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:39 pm

        It thaws out like a dream!

        Reply
    5. Leslie says

      September 09, 2014 at 3:32 pm

      I should do this. So I don't have to keep so much in the fridge.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:44 pm

        Ah, yes. I've been there too. Let us know how it goes if you decide to do it!

        Reply
    6. Hannah says

      September 09, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      Soooo glad that I saw this. I have been contemplating freezing my batches of sauce for awhile. I hate for anything to go to waste! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:45 pm

        I feel the same way. I think my freezer (and extra freezer) saves me from wasting food.

        Reply
    7. Julie @ HostessAtHeart says

      September 10, 2014 at 8:14 pm

      Just what I needed. All of my tomatoes are making a last attempt to ripen before it gets to cool.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:41 pm

        Another good thing - if they don't ripen quite as quickly as you want, the long cooking time seems to help make up for it. I'ave had some in years past that I picked green and let ripen inside and I was surprised that they weren't as terrible as I thought they would be. 🙂

        Reply
        • Julie @ HostessAtHeart says

          September 12, 2014 at 4:09 pm

          Great to know! I have a few that aren't completely ripe. Thank you!

          Reply
    8. Joanne says

      September 11, 2014 at 11:33 pm

      Having a whole freezer full of ready-to-go tomato sauce is definitely something I aspire to! Great how-to post.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:43 pm

        Thanks, friend!

        Reply
    9. Terry Covington says

      September 12, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      I have only recently discovered your blog and just wanted to say that it is obvious how much care, attention to detail, and time go into what you do here -- not to mention fantastic-sounding recipes and great photos. Thank you!! I am learning how to cook vegetarian, am single (which means too many leftovers most of the time), and really can learn from your meal planning and all the features on your blog. Very much appreciate it!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 12, 2014 at 2:42 pm

        Welcome, Terry! Kiersten really has created a treasure trove here on Oh My Veggies. I'm glad I get to be part of such a great team. Thanks for the kind words!

        Reply
    10. Patricia says

      September 13, 2014 at 1:40 am

      I know this sounds blasphemous, but could I use big cans of diced and/or pureed tomatoes? I've done a lot of things in the name of veg*nism, but I just don't see myself peeling tomatoes. Thanx.

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        September 13, 2014 at 8:36 pm

        Not blasphemous at all! You can totally use canned tomatoes. You won't need to cook it as long. If it were me...I think I would probably do six 28-ounce cans of tomatoes in place of the 10 pounds fresh. It's slightly more than 10 pounds, but it'll work just fine. Great question!

        Reply
    11. Sarah says

      October 10, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Can you make salsa and freeze it? New at all this stuff but would love to learn. Thanks Sarah

      Reply
      • Lindsey Johnson says

        October 13, 2014 at 12:49 pm

        Hi Sarah! I have made freezer salsa several times and it has been great. A few things - cook it before you freeze it. The times when I just froze fresh, raw salsa, it didn't thaw out very well. Too watery and the texture was horrible! Also, realize that the flavors aren't going to be as good as fresh or canned, but it's still perfectly fine to eat thawed out or used in recipes. It can give off odors from peppers and chiles, so put it an airtight container as opposed to plastic bags and then you'll be fine. Great question!

        Reply
    12. Randy says

      October 19, 2014 at 1:36 am

      I have to say this recipe is fantastic, it's the best sauce I've ever tasted and it's not because I spent 7 hours making two batches, it really is great! I added some pepper from the garden as well, all ingredients were fresh, oh my now put his on top of Spaghetti squash!

      Reply
    13. Daphne Williams says

      September 04, 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Lindsay, Have you tried using a slow cooker to make this? Loving the sound of your recipe, I have plenty of homegrown tomatoes to use, also peppers & chillies so might incorporate those too!

      Reply
    14. Sarah | Well and Full says

      September 08, 2015 at 11:23 am

      I think I'm kind of in denial about summer ending... when I was reading this it actually occurred to me that the summer farmer's markets won't keep going on forever!! I love the idea of preserving the fresh summer bounty in this way, I'm really inspired to go home and make my own sauce!! 😀

      Reply
    15. Lisa Salser says

      September 13, 2015 at 6:52 pm

      Thanks so much for the recipe. I love to cook and had never made fresh spaghetti sauce This was easy and not intimidating when I read the recipe. A friend told me she adds carrots to hers for sweetness as well. Mine is cooking now so I'm excited to eat some tomorrow then off to the freezer for the rest! Thanks.

      Reply
    16. Melissa says

      October 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm

      How long can you store the sauce in the freezer? (Upright deep freeze)

      Reply
    17. Anders Svenson says

      March 11, 2016 at 8:02 am

      It is looking very tasty. I will try this recipe soon.

      Reply
    18. Amy Gibson says

      June 12, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Hello
      I just found your blog, I would like to make some yummy tomato sauce and then freeze it. But I need some help. Once it is frozen; how do you reheat it again for a recipe?

      Thank you
      🙂

      Reply
      • Kiersten says

        June 20, 2016 at 8:01 pm

        Usually I let it thaw in the fridge and then heat it on the stovetop; you could also submerge it (while it's still inside the container or bag you froze it in) in hot water until it's thawed and then heat it.

        Reply
    19. Jo says

      August 31, 2016 at 5:45 am

      Kiersten, is this tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce?

      Reply
    20. Don Jochum says

      September 25, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Should I seed the tomatoes or do the seeds dissolve during cooking?

      Reply
    21. Dawn McDowell says

      September 28, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing this. This is my second year using your recipe. We have all enjoyed the sauce. I added 2 cups shredded Zucchini to my sauce this year. YUM!

      Reply
    22. Tommie teasdale says

      August 08, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      Refreshing to read a no nonsense, front of stage approach where the traditional recipe takes preference. Respect there Lindsay, well delivered.

      Reply
      • Gail says

        August 30, 2017 at 4:31 pm

        I have just cooked a 10 quart pot of tomatoes. I am going to taste to see if it requires sugar. I was wondering how much tomatoe paste I need to add and should I be adding lemon juice for the acidity as well. Thankyou

        Reply
    23. Ally says

      October 03, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      Worked great for me!

      Reply
    24. Lesley says

      August 16, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      Gonna make this from my plethora or garden tomatoes! I’m in Boise also!

      Reply

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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