Homemade Prego Tomato Sauce

When you think about making your own tomato sauce, have you considered the benefits of a homemade Prego-style option? You can adjust flavors, control ingredients, and even save money with a few simple steps. By starting with sautéed onions and garlic in olive oil, and then blending in canned tomatoes and herbs, you’ll create a sauce that not only tastes fresh but also suits your palate perfectly. But what about the nuances of flavor pairings and recipe variations that could enhance your dish to the next level?

Key Takeaways

• Create a homemade version of Prego sauce using fresh ingredients for enhanced flavor and quality.
• Key ingredients include olive oil, diced onion, minced garlic, and a variety of canned tomatoes.
• Season the sauce with dried herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano for a classic taste.
• Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes to develop flavors, adjusting sweetness with optional sugar.
• Enjoy a healthier, customizable alternative to store-bought Prego, free from preservatives and excess sodium.

History

Prego’s history is often overlooked but is critical to understanding its impact on the pasta sauce market. Developed in the 1970s by the Campbell Soup Company, Prego aimed to expand its tomato products beyond soups. This effort focused on creating a pasta sauce that could rival established brands like Ragu and Hunt’s. Key contributors to this project included Chef Werner Schilling and Bill Hildebolt.

The development process took three to four years, with Hildebolt drawing inspiration from his wife’s homemade sauce that struggled with weeping. They created an innovative anti-weeping technique, allowing the sauce to maintain a desirable consistency.

When Prego launched internationally in 1981, it quickly became one of the most successful grocery products of the early 1980s. Significantly, it generated over $100 million in sales in its first year. This success was further bolstered by a diverse range of traditional pasta sauce flavors that catered to various consumer tastes and preferences.

Here are some reasons for its success:

• Introduced an all-natural product without starch as a thickener.
• Created a new “homestyle” category in the retail space.
• Effective initial marketing strategies.

Prego’s entrance into the market marked a significant turning point for jarred pasta sauces, shaping consumer preferences for years to come.

Recipe

Homemade Prego Tomato Sauce

Making your own homemade tomato sauce can raise your cooking to a new level. With fresh ingredients and the perfect blend of seasonings, you can craft a delicious sauce that brings out the best in your pasta dishes. This recipe is designed to be easy to follow while allowing you the flexibility to customize flavors according to your preference.

Whether you want a chunky sauce or a smooth finish, you’ll find that preparing your own sauce at home is both rewarding and satisfying. Gathering a few simple ingredients and following the steps below, you’ll create a rich and flavorful sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes such as spaghetti, lasagna, or even as a dipping sauce.

The beauty of homemade tomato sauce isn’t just in the taste but also in the ability to control the ingredients, making it as healthy or indulgent as you desire. Homemade spaghetti sauce is healthier than store-bought options, ensuring that every bite is not only delicious but also nutritious.

Ingredients:
– 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil
– 1/4 cup to 1 large Onion, diced or finely chopped
– 1 large clove Garlic, minced
– 14 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
– 7 oz can of Tomato Sauce
– 7 oz can of Tomato Paste
– Dried Basil, to taste
– Dried Parsley, to taste
– Dried Oregano, to taste
– Salt, to taste
– Pepper, to taste
– Sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions:
Begin by heating the olive oil in a medium to large saucepan over medium/high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes golden and fragrant, which usually takes about 4-5 minutes.

Then, add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds more, being careful not to let it burn. Reduce the heat to low/medium before incorporating the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, mixing them well until the sauce is smooth.

Season with dried basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar if desired. Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a traditional blender to blend until you reach your preferred thickness.

Extra Tips:
Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the sauce by modifying the sugar amount according to your preference. If you enjoy a thicker sauce, simmer it longer to achieve the desired consistency.

Adding herbs such as bay leaves or marjoram can improve the flavor even more. Remember to store any leftover sauce in a 32 oz jar, ensuring the jar is pre-heated before adding the hot sauce to avoid cracking.

Proper storage will give your sauce a shelf life of up to a year, allowing you to enjoy it at your convenience!

Final Thoughts

The satisfaction of crafting your own homemade tomato sauce is unmatched, as it not only allows for creativity in the kitchen but also improves your meals with fresh, vibrant flavors. By choosing to make your Prego sauce at home, you reap several benefits.

Benefits of Homemade Sauce:

• Healthier Alternative: Control over ingredients means less sodium and sugar.

• Customization: Adjust recipes to fit your taste by adding or removing ingredients.

• Freshness: Enjoy a sauce free from preservatives, enhancing flavor and texture. Nutritional benefits like lower sodium content compared to jarred sauces further highlight the advantages of homemade alternatives.

• Cost-Effective: Common ingredients make homemade sauce budget-friendly.

• Versatility: Easily modify your recipe to create different flavor variations.

In terms of ingredients, the tomato base is key, complemented by herbs and spices for depth. Techniques like slow cooking and optional blending improve texture and flavor complexity.

While making homemade sauce does require more effort and time, the results often surpass store-bought versions in taste and quality.

Ultimately, experimenting with different herbs, spices, and techniques can help you perfect your personal recipe. The joy of creating a homemade sauce that fits your palate makes all the effort worthwhile.

Enjoy your culinary journey as you make your very own Prego tomato sauce!

FAQ

In the domain of making homemade Prego tomato sauce, you might’ve questions about ingredients, preparation, and variations. Here’s a quick FAQ to guide you:

Ingredients:

• Basic Ingredients: Diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, olive oil, and garlic.

• Seasonings: Dried basil, dried parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper can improve flavor.

• Modifications: You can add celery for flavor or sugar for sweetness. Fresh herbs are also an option.

• Dietary Alterations: Omit sugar for a zero-sugar option or substitute coconut oil for olive oil.

Preparation:

• Onions and Garlic: Dice the onion and mince the garlic, then sauté them until golden.

• Combining Products: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to the pot, stirring well. Also consider using fresh ingredients to enhance the overall flavor.

• Cooking Time: Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cooking Techniques:

• Heat Level: Use medium-high heat for sautéing.

• Preventing Sticking: Stir frequently while simmering and reduce heat as needed.

• Storage: Cool and store the sauce in a jar.

Feel free to investigate variations to suit your taste!