Tomato Basil Sauce

  
Canned tomato soup forms the base for this sweet and savoury Tomato Basil Sauce.  Similar to a brown sugar barbeque sauce, it is so tasty, especially with Dinner Patties or Veggie Meatballs.   

I'm not a big fan of canned vegetables or soups but I do keep a few cans handy on the pantry shelves for emergencies or convenience.  I absolutely don't like canned tomato soup.  While people dip their grilled cheese sandwiches in the stuff I turn up my nose in disdain, ha, ha. 

But for all my dislike of canned tomato soup I do use it in some of my cooking.  It can form the base of soups, stews, sauces and can even be used in cake!  So I usually have a couple of cans hanging about the cupboard shelves.  When one is in a rush or unexpected company arrives on your doorstep it's handy to have a go-to recipe that can be mixed up in mere seconds (okay, more like minutes), needs no strange or extraordinary ingredients,  and tastes good as well.   

My dear friend Cheryl passed on this recipe to me.  I can't remember if this is the original or if I've added to it but I've been making this on a regular basis ever since she introduced me to this tasty sauce.  Cheryl likes lots of basil and so do I but you can adjust the seasoning to your own taste.  There is no salt in this recipe because, as you probably know, the canned tomato soup has plenty. 


Tomato Basil Sauce
1 can tomato soup, diluted with equal water
½ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 or 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar, to taste
2 teaspoons dried basil or to taste

In a medium size saucepan mix all ingredients together.  Heat to a simmer, making sure the sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well combined.  Pour over patties or veggie “meatballs” and bake 350 degrees about 30-40 minutes.  The sauce will thicken a little while baking. 

Just a few pantry items will make a tasty sauce.  

Choose your favourite brands of tomato soup and ketchup.  

Mix everything in a saucepan.

Add a soup can of water and stir.  Set over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a simmer so the brown sugar will dissolve.

Use Tomato Basil Sauce over Veggie Meatballs or Dinner Patties.

 As easy as 1, 2, 3. . .

Quick and tasty--Tomato Basil Sauce.