Save time by cooking in bulk and freezing. This basic tomato sauce can be used for a wide range of meals. Try our tasty recipes to get you started.
Freeze-ahead tomato sauce
It’s best to keep the tomatoes whole while the sauce cooks, as the pips can release a bitter taste. Wait until the end before breaking them up.
MAKES 1.25 LITRES SAUCE
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 40 MINUTES
1 tbsp Sainsbury’s olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tsp dried oregano
4 x 400g cans Sainsbury’s premium peeled plum tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and oregano, and cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes until the onion has softened.
- Gently tip the tomatoes into the pan and stir into the onions, trying not to break up the tomatoes. Cook over a low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Break up the tomatoes in the pan – you can use a pair of kitchen scissors to snip them. Season and stir in the ketchup. Freeze batches of the sauce in small containers and simply defrost them when needed. Use up within a month.
Tasty recipes for your freeze-ahead tomato sauce:
Herby meatballs
SERVES 2 ADULTS AND 1 TODDLER
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES + CHILLING TIME
COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES
FOR THE MEATBALLS
300g Sainsbury’s beef or lamb mince
50g breadcrumbs
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp each chopped fresh mint and parsley
1 medium egg yolk, beaten
1 tsp mild chilli powder, optional
FOR THE SAUCE
625ml basic tomato sauce (see recipe)
100ml red wine
1 stick cinnamon
1 x 110g pack Sainsbury’s coriander & lemon savoury couscous, to serve
Fresh coriander, to serve
For mum and dad
- In a large bowl, mix all the meatball ingredients with your hands. Form into 10-12 ping-pong-size balls. Pop into the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Warm the tomato sauce over a medium heat, stirring in the wine and cinnamon stick. Bring to the boil and reduce for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, dry-fry the meatballs for 5 minutes, turning until evenly browned, then add them to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring and turning the meatballs.
- Meanwhile, prepare the couscous as instructed on the packet. Serve with the meatballs and sauce, garnished with sprigs of parsley.
For toddler - Keep a little meatball mixture aside, don’t add chilli and form it into smaller balls. Reserve a little tomato sauce and don’t add wine or cinnamon.
Minestrone soup
This is a great easy-to-make soup that all the family will enjoy – just make sure you keep the vegetables small for the toddler version.
SERVES 2 ADULTS AND 1 TODDLER
PREP TIME: 10-15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES
625ml of basic tomato sauce (see recipe)
400ml vegetable stock
1 carrot, peeled and chopped into small pieces
50g Sainsbury’s mini pasta for soup pastini conchiglietti rigate, or spaghetti broken into small sticks
100g Savoy cabbage, shredded thinly
1⁄2 x 410g can Sainsbury’s cannellini beans,drained and rinsed
2 tbsp pesto and crusty bread, to serve
For mum and dad
- In a large pan, mix the basic tomato sauce with the vegetable stock. Stir in the carrot and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Add the pasta to the soup and cook for 8 minutes, or according to pack instructions. Five minutes before the end of cooking, add the cabbage and cannellini beans.
- To serve, stir the pesto into the soup and devour with crusty bread, toasted if liked.
For toddler - as above, but keep the vegetables small.
Vegetable and fish bake
Fish is one of nature’s healthier fast foods – it’s nutritious and cooks in a jiffy. Kids will love it with these tasty vegetables.
SERVES 2 ADULTS AND 1 TODDLER
PREP TIME: 10-15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small aubergine, sliced into crescents
1 courgette, sliced into crescents
625ml of basic tomato sauce (see recipe)
A handful of pitted black olives, chopped
1 tbsp Sainsbury’s Capucines capers
2 x Taste the difference cod loins (approx 150g-200g each)
A handful of fresh parsley, chopped, and boiled potatoes, to serve
For mum and dad
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then cook the aubergine and courgette for 5 minutes until golden.
- Stir the tomato sauce into the vegetables, then turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Add the black olives and capers.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and carefully place the cod loins on top of the sauce. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the fish is cooked through.
- Scatter over the parsley and serve with the boiled potatoes.
For toddler - as above, but flake the fish and don’t add the black olives and capers to the sauce as these have too much salt for your little one.
Chicken and tomato stew
This hearty, warming dish is perfect for a week-night supper.
SERVES 2 ADULTS AND 1 TODDLER
PREP TIME: 10-15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES
1 tbsp olive oil
2 x Sainsbury’s skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 small red onion, sliced into wedges
150g Sainsbury’s SO organic chestnut mushrooms, quartered
1 red and 1 yellow pepper, sliced
1 tsp tomato purée
100ml white wine
310ml basic tomato sauce (see recipe)
1 x 180g pack Sainsbury’s SO organic young spinach
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Mashed potato, to serve
For mum and dad
- Warm the oil in a pan over a medium heat and gently fry the chicken and onion for 5 minutes, until golden brown.
- Toss in the mushrooms and peppers and cook for a further 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato purée and pour in the white wine. Allow the wine to bubble for a minute, then stir in the basic tomato sauce.
- Bring to the boil and simmer for a further 5 minutes, then stir in the spinach and cook for 1 minute more. Scatter over the parsley and serve with mash.
For toddler - cook as above but keep the pieces of chicken and vegetables small and omit the wine.
