Jul 14 2026

Classico Recipe

Time1h
Serves4

Tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese

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Ingredients

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Sauce Ingredients

Cheese Ingredients

Method

Sauce Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Tomatoes

    Open the canned whole tomatoes and pour them into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, or leave a few chunks if you prefer a rustic sauce.

  2. 2

    Sauté the Aromatics

    In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic (from the cloves) and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.

  3. 3

    Add Tomatoes and Season

    Pour the blended tomatoes into the saucepan, then add salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine.

  4. 4

    Simmer the Sauce

    Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.

  5. 5

    Finish with Basil

    Once the sauce is thick, tear the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

Cheese Preparation

  1. 6

    Prepare the Cheese

    While the sauce is simmering, slice the fresh mozzarella cheese into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Grate the Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated.

Assembly

  1. 7

    Layer the Ingredients

    In a baking dish or on a pizza crust, spread a layer of the tomato sauce evenly across the bottom. Then, place the mozzarella slices on top of the sauce, followed by a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

  2. 8

    Final Bake

    Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

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