Homemade Tomato Sauce and Five Ways to Use It in Your Cooking

Tomato season is finally upon us, and the markets and stores are stocking their spaces with this hot commodity. While canning isn’t my most favourite way to spend my time, I do like to make a large batch of tomato sauce that I freeze for the busy fall season.
Tomato sauce is not only delicious and healthy, but did you also know it can be used to jump start five family dinners easily? Here is a list of how I like to use my frozen sauce to help me get a tasty, no-fuss meal on the table.

1. Chicken (or Eggplant) Parmigiana

   Defrost your sauce and spoon it over breaded chicken slices. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake until the cheese is bubbling and the chicken is warmed through.

2. Meatballs

   Place homemade or store bought meatballs in sauce and simmer until cooked through. Spoon the sauce over pasta or place meatballs on a bun and serve up subs for dinner.

3. Baked Eggs

   Fill a baking dish with an inch of tomato sauce. Crack 4–6 eggs over the sauce and add a sprinkling of Italian herbs and parmesan cheese. Bake until the eggs are cooked through and serve with a hunk of crusty bread.

4. Pasta Sauces

   To make a rose sauce, combine one cup of cream and three cups of tomato sauce and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Serve over warm pasta with lots of fresh ground pepper. Or fry up some pieces of bacon, add frozen peas to the pan and cover with tomato sauce. Mix together and pour over pasta.

5. Sloppy Joes

   Remove sausages from their casings and brown the meat. Add chopped onion and bell peppers and cook well. Stir in tomato sauce, a tablespoon or two of brown sugar and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Spoon into rolls and serve.