Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (2024)

In 30 minutes or less, get the traditional French tomato provençale sauce recipe that will delight. With accompaniments, drinks suggestions and more.

(As an Amazon affiliate living in France, I may earn commissions on purchases. All information provided is for entertainment purposes only.)

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This Recipe includes

Main ingredients:

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (1)Can of whole peeled tomatoes
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (2)Olive oil
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (3)Chicken stock
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (4)Butter
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (5)(Optional) chopped onions
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (6)(Optional) crème fraiche or heavy cream

Spices, herbs and flavoring ingredients:

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (7)Parsley leaves
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (8)Basil
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (9)Thyme
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (10)Oregano
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (11)Bay leaf
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (12)Garlic powder or flakes
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (13)(Optional) pinch of espelette pepper or cayenne pepper
Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (14)Salt and pepper

Why we love it

Homemade tomato provençale sauce could change your life. That may be a bit a hyperbole, but really, have you seen the labels on those artificial sauces with mysterious ingredients that nobody can make heads or tails of?

With firm tomatoes, fresh herbs, olive oil and garlic, this simple recipe can be prepared in just 30 minutes or less.

And the great thing about sauce provençale is its proven versatility. You can use this tomato provencal sauce recipe for anything you want! From pasta to a pizza, or topping off an omelette, baked chicken or fish, you can use this sauce on just about anything. (And you can make it as spicy as you want!)

The simplest tomato sauce consists just of chopped tomatoes cooked down with olive oil, seasoned with salt, or other herbs or spices, it is then simmered until the sauce caramelises and melds into a beautiful harmony. And there are various varieties as well, as the tomato is quite a hardy ingredient.

There are a lot of spices on the to make a tomato provencal sauce, but in essence this is a French bouquet garni. You don’t need to have every single one, a French bouquet garni involves mixing and matching what you have.

☞ READ MORE: French starter: Tomatoes à la provençale

The Mother Sauce

The basic tomato sauce might sound basic, but it is one of the five mother sauces of classical French cooking. “Sauce tomate” as it is called in French, is one of 5 mother sauces of French cuisine.

It was codified by famed French chef Auguste Escoffier in the early 20th century, consisting of lardons, onions, bay leaves, thyme, tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, and surprisingly a teaspoon of sugar.

Other Variations

As anyone who has ever had a plate of steaming pasta with tomato sauce knows, that little tomato is one incredibly versatile vegetable. (Or is it a fruit?) Either way, there are a thousand different ways to make a tomato sauce.

The provençale tomato sauce is one that takes that tomato and combines it with ingredients that are popular in provençale cuisine like olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs. It is a lighter sauce than the classic sauce tomato, and can be prepared in a spicier version.

Other variations of tomato sauce are:

  • Creole:tomato sauce with white wine,garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, and red bell peppers
  • Portugaise:tomato sauce with garlic, onions, sugar, salt, parsley, and peeled tomatoes
  • Marinara (Italian):tomato sauce with garlic, onions, and herbs
  • Sauce Vierge: a type of French salsa with diced tomatoes and spices.

These are of course the versions that are popular in France and Europe, but many other cultures have their own variations.

What to serve with provençale tomato sauce?

Pasta is always a favorite with a provençale tomato sauce, but you can also serve it with baked chicken or fish like salmon or codfish.

You can even use it as a topping on baked eggplant (aubergine) or a sauce withgougères. Other ideas would be to serve it with sautéed calamari.

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (15)

What drinks to serve with it?

A local wine from the region of Provence will be lovely with sauce tomate provençale to keep with the theme. Try a rosé fromCôtes de Provencefor chicken or fish.

Or if you prefer, a lightCôtes du Rhône will also go well with this dish. You can read more aboutFrench wineshere.

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (16)

How to store it?

Provençale tomato sauce can easily be kept in the fridge or freezer. Prepare a sauce that is thicker than usual, and wait until the sauce is completely cold before putting it in an airtight glass jars or plastic containers designed for freezing. (The container will have a snowflake which signifies that it can be frozen.)

The entire jar must be thawed out when using, and cannot be refrozen, so keep each portion of the sauce small.

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (17)

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (18)

Tomate Provençale Sauce

Nassie Angadi

An easy French espagnole sauce that you can indulge in.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side dishes

Cuisine French

Servings 4

Calories 223 kcal

Equipment

  • Le Creuset Cast Iron Saucepan with Lid

  • KitchenAid Classic 14 Piece Knife Set

  • Asclepius Marble Mortar and Pestle Set

  • Durable Bamboo Over the Sink Chopping Board

Ingredients

  • 50 g butter
  • 1 large can of whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup of chicken stock low sodium if possible
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons of olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
  • teaspoon of freshly grated pepper
  • pinch of salt

Optional

  • Pinch of espelette pepper or cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions
  • 3/4 cup of liquid crème fraiche or heavy cream

Instructions

  • Peel the garlic and crush in a mortar and pestle.

  • Chop the tomatoes into small pieces.

  • Melt the butter in a saucepan at low heat.

  • Sauté the garlic (and onions) in the saucepan until they turn lightly translucent.

  • Add the tomatoes, herbs, and olive oil into the saucepan and cook for around 10 minutes at medium temperature.

  • Add the optional heavy cream and stir in. Let cook for another 10 minutes.

  • Season to your liking with salt and pepper and whisk until it is well blended.

  • Serve while warm.

Notes

Adjust the espelette pepper for spiciness, depending on personal preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 786mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g

Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates are approximate. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health. This website is written and produced for entertainment purposes only.

Keyword espagnole sauce

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (19)

If you enjoyed that, check out our other classic French recipes that are easy to prepare. Bon appétit and à bientôt !

Simple Tomato Provençale sauce recipe from France (2024)

FAQs

What is Provencal sauce made of? ›

Provençal Sauce is another term used often for la sauce Vierge, or Vierge Sauce. It is technically a vinaigrette or a salsa made of tomatoes, olives, capers, green onion, chives, basil and olive oil. Vierge Sauce is delicious served over grilled fish, chicken or pasta to make a pasta salad.

What's the secret to a good tomato sauce? ›

Starting with good quality tomatoes and crushing them by hand offers great flavor and texture later on. The combination of butter and oil releases fat-soluble aromatics and gives the sauce a creamy texture. Slowly cooking the sauce in the oven creates rich caramelization without burning.

How to make tomato sauce more flavorful? ›

Flat or bland sauce likely needs a hit of something acidic to lift and enhance its flavors, such as a small splash of high-quality, flavorful vinegar, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a few drops of not-too-fiery hot sauce.

What are the 3 French sauces? ›

The five French mother sauces are béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato. Developed in the 19th century by French chef Auguste Escoffier, mother sauces serve as a starting point for a variety of delicious sauces used to complement countless dishes, including veggies, fish, meat, casseroles, and pastas.

What is francaise sauce made of? ›

Chicken Française is a lightly fried chicken breast with a silky delicious sauce on top. The chicken is typically pounded or cut thinly, and then fried in a light crispy batter on both sides. It is served with a thin gravy-like sauce made from butter, white wine and lemon zest and lemon juice.

What is the most important thing when making tomato sauce? ›

Olive Oil. Olive oil or some other type of fat is crucial for making the perfect tomato sauce. Not only does olive oil add a layer of decadence to the sauce, but it also improves the texture.

What does adding milk to tomato sauce do? ›

Add a little milk to tomato sauce for a sweeter taste to offset the acidity of the tomatoes. This is a well-kept secret amongst Italian grandmothers.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato sauce? ›

Great tomato flavor is all about balancing acidity and sweetness. Too much of either can leave you with asauce that tastes one-dimensional. Many sources recommend adding a pinch of baking soda to a sauce that's overly tart, which raises the pH and makes it less acidic.

Why does my homemade tomato sauce taste bitter? ›

That bitterness could be acid from the tomatoes and one way people typically fix that is by adding a small amount of sugar.

Why does my tomato sauce have no flavor? ›

Boost the Acidity

Tomatoes are naturally acidic, but sometimes a jarred pasta sauce can lean too sweet, or just taste flat. Incorporating acids like lemon juice (and even zest) or red wine vinegar right before serving can round out your sauce.

Should you add sugar to tomato sauce? ›

Most tomato sauce recipes are based on canned tomatoes, and canning companies carefully regulate the pH level of their products. So, the need to add sugar to tomato sauce is declining, but there may still be exceptions. It's best to make your sauce without sugar at first, then taste it and add a pinch if necessary.

What is the secret trick for spaghetti? ›

The trick is to cook your noodles directly in your sauce. Sounds a little bizarre, but it totally works! By adding uncooked noodles and a little extra liquid into the sauce, you end up with a simple and delicious meal made in just one pot.

Why put baking soda in spaghetti sauce? ›

Baking soda plus acidic tomatoes equals sweeter tomato sauce. One of the differences between Roma and San Marzano canned tomatoes is acidity levels. Lowering the acidity of any old canned tomato is as simple as adding a pinch of baking soda to the sauce. Baking soda is an alkaline – and the opposite of an acid.

How do you deepen the flavor of spaghetti sauce? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

What is the meaning of Provencale sauce? ›

a thick sauce of tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings cooked in oil.

What mother sauce is Provençal produced from? ›

Sauce Tomate

The key difference from most Italian versions is a starter roux of salt pork, butter, and flour. Never olive oil. One of its best-known daughters is the sunny sauce Provençal, made fragrant with the addition of capers, olives and herbes de Provence.

What does Provençal mean in cooking? ›

1. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Provence or the people of Provence. 2. or Provençale : cooked with garlic, onion, mushrooms, tomato, olive oil, and herbs. scallops Provençal.

Can you buy Provençal sauce? ›

Picard Organic Provencal Sauce | Ocado.

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