This homemade gluten-free tomato sauce is flavorful, simple to prepare, and ready in about 30 minutes. Use it for pasta, as a pizza base, with chicken parmesan, or as a dipping sauce. It’s dairy-free, vegan, and made without additives or preservatives—perfect to cook in a big batch and store for later.
I Love Everything Homemade
Making things from scratch is satisfying. I enjoy baking homemade breads, preparing nut flours and milks, and preserving fruits into jams and marmalades. A simple, fresh tomato sauce is one of those staples I always make at home.
Make Your Own Tomato Sauce
Store-bought sauce is convenient, but homemade sauce offers clearer advantages: brighter flavor, no unnecessary additives, and the ability to adjust seasoning and texture to your taste. It’s an easy way to lift any meal.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: This sauce relies on everyday pantry items—nothing exotic required.
- Quick and Easy: The recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and requires minimal hands-on time.
- Gluten-Free and Vegan: The finished sauce is suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets.
Ingredients You’ll Need + Notes/Substitutions:
Below is an overview of the ingredients. Exact amounts are in the recipe card further down.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds flavor; any neutral vegetable oil works if preferred.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best aroma; dried minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
- Onion: Yellow, white, or red onion all work. Dice finely for a smoother sauce or coarsely for more texture.
- Tomato puree: Use store-bought tomato puree or make your own by blending strained tomatoes.
- Italian seasoning: A ready blend is convenient, or mix dried basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, and thyme to taste.
- Salt: Table salt or a sea salt of your choice.
- Water: Filtered water works well; vegetable broth can be used for added depth.
- Sweeter sauce: If you prefer a milder acidity, stir in a teaspoon or tablespoon of sugar near the end of simmering. For a no-sugar option, use a sugar substitute suited to your needs.
How to Make Gluten-Free Tomato Sauce (Step by Step):
1. Heat Oil
Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté Onions
Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes translucent and starts to soften.
3. Add Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute—be careful not to burn it.
4. Add Tomato Puree
Pour the tomato puree into the pan and stir to combine with the softened onions and garlic.
5. Season
Stir in the Italian seasoning and salt, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
6. Simmer
Cover and simmer on low for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of filtered water, then simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens, about 15–20 minutes. Longer simmering mellows acidity and deepens flavor.
7. Use or Store
Use immediately, or cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce also freezes well for up to 2 months.
Tips & Variations
- Simmer longer: Gentle, extended simmering improves depth and reduces tomato acidity.
- Adjust spices: Add black pepper, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cumin if you like more heat or complexity.
- Fresh herbs: Stir in chopped fresh basil, oregano, or rosemary near the end for a bright finish.
- Smooth texture: For an ultra-smooth sauce, blend with an immersion blender or process in a blender until smooth.
- Scale easily: Double or triple the ingredients and use a larger pot when making bigger batches.
- Use ideas: This sauce is great for spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, tomato soup base, chicken parmesan, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or zucchini fries.
- Make bolognese: Brown ground meat and add it to the simmering sauce for a hearty bolognese.
Recipe FAQs:
Cool the sauce and transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Yes. Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or under cold running water.
Not always. Many commercial sauces don’t contain gluten ingredients, but some are processed in facilities that handle wheat or include additives. Look for a certified gluten-free label if you need to avoid cross-contamination.
Other Homemade Sauces & Dips
-
Easy Basil Chimichurri Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
-
Green Tomatillo Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
-
10-Minute Basil Pesto Dressing (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
-
Coconut Caramel Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
P.S. If you try this recipe, consider leaving a rating or a brief review. Feedback helps improve the recipe and helps other cooks. Check the recipe index on the blog for more ideas and sign up for an email list to receive new recipes if you’d like.
Easy Homemade Gluten-Free Tomato Sauce (Vegan)
5 from 1 review
- Author: Felicia Lim
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This tomato sauce is homemade, simple, and versatile—ready in about 30 minutes and free from dairy and gluten. It’s a healthy, preservative-free option to keep on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 15 oz can tomato puree
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup filtered water
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Sauté Onions: Add the diced onion and cook until translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Puree & Seasonings: Add the tomato puree, Italian seasoning, and salt, stirring to combine.
- Simmer: Cover and simmer 5 minutes, then add 1 cup filtered water and continue to simmer until thickened, about 15–20 minutes. Longer simmering mellows acidity and enhances flavor.
- Store or Serve: Use immediately or cool and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for flavor, though neutral oils are fine.
Garlic & Onion: Fresh ingredients give the best taste; adjust chop size for texture.
Tomato Puree: Homemade or store-bought both work.
Seasoning: Use an Italian blend or combine dried herbs to suit your preference. Add a touch of sugar if you want a sweeter, less acidic sauce.
Storage & Freezing: Refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container or freeze up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw in the refrigerator or under cold running water.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian