How do you thicken tomato sauce without using tomato paste?

Thicken tomato sauce without using tomato paste by cooking the sauce uncovered,on a low heat for several hours. This method is called reducing and produces a thick, more flavorful sauce. Start with double the amount of sauce that you wish to end up with.

1. Pour the existing sauce into a large saucepan

   Place the thin sauce into a large saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to help reduce boil over.

2. Place the pan on the stove and heat to boiling

   Cook the sauce on medium high heat, bringing it to a boil.

3. Reduce the heat to a low setting

   Lower the heat to the lowest setting allowing it to continue to bubble at a slow rate. Make sure sauce is boiling slowly. This helps the liquid to vaporize. Keep the saucepan uncovered, allowing the steam to escape.

4. Cook and stir for several hours

   Continue to cook the sauce on a low heat for several hours, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking. The liquid in the sauce boils slowly away leaving more solid matter. This creates a thicker, more flavorful sauce.