Homemade Italian Red Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups water
• 2 (32 ounce) cans crushed diced tomatoes
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add water, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, baking soda, and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Stir mixture, bring to a simmer, and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 hours.