Tomato Passata
Ripe tomatoes simmered for 40 minutes, then pushed through a sieve into a smooth, uncooked-tasting tomato sauce. Eight servings in 50 minutes.
Photograph credit: Tomato passata by Tabby · CC0 1.0 · Wikimedia
Make Ahead and Storage
Keeps in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Making Tomato Passata
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Put the tomatoes and salt in a wide pan and simmer over medium heat for 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until they collapse.
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Push the pulp through a sieve into a bowl.
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Stir in the sugar, add the basil and cool. Keep in the fridge.
Tips for Success
- Choose ripe tomatoes.
- Press the pulp hard through the sieve.
- If your hob runs hot, check at 30 minutes.
- Reduce thin passata for a few minutes.
Behind the Recipe
Passata is only tomatoes, sieved: nothing is added, so everything depends on the fruit. Ripe, flavourful ones make a bright, sweet passata, and watery winter ones make a dull one.
Quarter the tomatoes and put them in a wide pan with a pinch of salt. They release plenty of juice as they heat, so there is no need to add water. Simmer for 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until they break down completely.
Push the pulp through a sieve or a food mill with the back of a ladle. The skins and seeds stay behind, and what comes through is smooth and glossy.
If your hob runs hot, check at 30 minutes. Return the strained passata to the pan for 5 minutes if it looks thin. A basil leaf in the jar adds a good fragrance. Passata is thinner than tomato puree and brighter than a cooked pasta sauce, which makes it useful as a blank base for pizza, soups and braises.
Serving Ideas
Pasta · Pizza · Soups · Meatballs
Tomato Passata FAQ
How long does Tomato Passata take to make?
About 50 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 8.
What are the key tips for making Tomato Passata?
Choose ripe tomatoes. Press the pulp hard through the sieve. If your hob runs hot, check at 30 minutes. Reduce thin passata for a few minutes.
What should I serve with Tomato Passata?
Pasta; Pizza; Soups; Meatballs.
How should Tomato Passata be stored?
Keeps in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Is Tomato Passata suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
Tomato Passata Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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