The Genius Tomato Sauce Upgrade Italians Have Always Known About

[elleng]

(Thought y'all might like to hear about this.)

Sometimes labeled tomato purée or tomato sauce, passata is traditionally made with late summer, peak-season tomatoes, as a way to preserve them. It's a smooth, strained purée, free of skins and seeds, and typically sold in tall glass bottles.

Made from ripe, high-quality tomatoes, it's left unseasoned aside from a touch of salt and, occasionally, a few basil leaves. Its natural sweetness and acidity are already beautifully balanced, so it doesn't need much doctoring. Homemade passata is a wonderful thing if you have time and ripe tomatoes, but with excellent store-bought options available now in the US, it's not essential to start from scratch.

What Passata Is Not >>>

https://www.seriouseats.com/passata-love-letter-11762762?hid=5d647c1c136337ca58c317a718c182d09336b9c1&did=18612581-20250724&utm_source=seriouseats&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=seriouseats_newsletter&utm_content=072425&lctg=5d647c1c136337ca58c317a718c182d09336b9c1&lr_input=f0d033fb141fbbcf764f916ec655b6af0dca8c6923d918e6ec9dcb96ebf6f564

[PennyC]

1. This sounds great!

I will look and see if I can find it near me.

[Probatim]

2. Thanks Ellen.

Anyone with extra tomatoes and saute pan should appreciate this recipe. Here's a link to make passata at home:

https://www.seriouseats.com/easy-quick-cooked-tomato-sauce-puree-coulis-recipe

Enjoy!

[applegrove]

3. I use Hunt's Tomato sauce in cans when I make lasagna.

Nothing in it but sauce. I add garlic and a little oregano. I've gotten raves on the sauce (and the whole thing really). I never touch adulterated tomato sauce. I will keep my eyes open to what you describe though.

[pansypoo53219]

4. last few years i did sauce w/ cherry tomatoes + tomato paste. i has a good flight meal flying from stockholm.

took years to figure out how to make it---better. w/ green peppers. added onions. more herbs + spices.

[elleng]

5. Sounds like my old recipe with more herbs and spices

I discovered in NYT 30& years ago, and gone missing.

[pansypoo53219]

6. my grandma's spagetti sauce was close, but she used her canned toms. tomato paste makes the best sauce.

'swedish' sauce also gets celery. no oregano. except itlian spice mix.