Pasta Sauce

We love homemade pasta sauce, so when I make a batch it's pretty large. That way I can portion it out in plastic containers and freeze it for future use. I can usually get 7-8 meals for our family out of this recipe (it makes around 25 cups). It can be easliy reduced for smaller batches or families. Sorry for the lack of pictures - I had camera issues that I didn't notice until the end so I only got the final shot.

*Note: You can also exchange small or large cans of ingredients when needed, as long as the total amount works out to the same. Use what you have.

Recipe

6-14 oz. cans peeled, petite diced tomatoes, drained (or 3 large cans)
9-15 oz. cans tomato sauce (or 4 large cans plus one small can)
4-6 oz. cans tomato paste
1 1/2 onion, diced
10 cloves garlic, minced (we love garlic but you can use less)
5 T extra virgin olive oil
5 T Italian seasoning
1 1/2 T dried basil
1 T dried oregano
1 cup brown sugar (we like ours a little sweet but you can use less)
Additoinal spices and sugar as needed to taste

Directions

In a large pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Add half of the drained stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste and stir together. Add spices and sugar. Simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes. Add remainder of stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste and stir together. Simmer for and additional 15 minutes. Add additoinal spices and sugar to taste. Simmer on low for 30 minutes or until all flavors have come together.