06/03/2026
🍅 Bottled Tomato Sauce (Pizza / Bolognese Base)
First timer! If I can do it so can you 💥 So good, these tomatoes were seconds and going to be thrown out! I scored them for FREE!
Ingredients
• 2 kg ripe fresh tomatoes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional but adds richness)
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar or honey
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp black pepper
For bottling safety
• 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice per 500 ml jar
Method
1. Prepare the tomatoes
Wash and roughly chop the tomatoes. Remove the hard core if needed. Peeling is optional.
2. Cook the base
Heat olive oil in a large pot.
Add onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until soft.
3. Add garlic
Add crushed garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add tomatoes
Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste.
Bring to a simmer.
5. Season
Add salt, sugar, oregano, basil and black pepper.
6. Simmer
Cook uncovered for 35–45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
7. Blend (optional)
Use a stick blender if you prefer a smoother sauce. Leave chunky if you like a rustic style.
Bottling Instructions
1. Sterilise jars and keep them warm.
2. Add 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice to each 500 ml jar.
3. Pour the hot sauce into jars, leaving about 2 cm headspace.
4. Wipe jar rims and seal with lids.
Water Bath Processing
Place jars in boiling water so they are fully covered.
Process for:
• 35 minutes for 500 ml jars
• 40 minutes for 1 litre jars
Remove and allow jars to cool undisturbed.
Once sealed, store in a cool dark pantry for up to 12 months.
