Gather all your ingredients in one place. It makes the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable. You can prep your garlic, slice your basil, and have the canned tomatoes ready to go.

In a medium saucepan, warm your extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. You want it hot enough to gently sauté the garlic but not so hot that it smokes. Keep an eye on it!

Once the oil is shimmering, add your minced garlic. Sauté it gently for about a minute, just until it becomes fragrant. It should smell heavenly but make sure it doesn’t burn. Burnt garlic can turn a beautiful sauce into something bitter.

Now, add the can of finely chopped tomatoes to the saucepan. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything together, allowing the oil and garlic to blend with the tomatoes.

Toss in the kosher salt, balsamic vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully.

After simmering, remove the sauce from heat. Stir in those lovely ribbons of fresh basil. This step adds a fresh burst of flavor that complements the tomatoes brilliantly.

Give the sauce a taste. Do you need more salt? A pinch of sugar? Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.

Let the sauce cool slightly before using it as a base for your favorite pizza. You can also store it for later.