Herbs to Grow for Tomato Sauce

Basil

• Other herbs may come and go, but when it comes to a good tomato sauce, basil is a necessary ingredient. From authentic Italian cuisine to the Slavic Balkan basil and tomato sauce in "The Herb Garden Cookbook," basil and tomatoes are frequently partnered. Basil is easy to grow and can be used for indoor growing or outdoor gardens. Sweet basil is the most commonly used variety for both tomato and pesto sauces. Plant basil in a sunny location with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The young leaves have excellent flavor.

Oregano

• Oregano is a Mediterranean favorite, and is used in Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern and Spanish food, as well as many Mexican dishes. It has a strong, almost pungent flavor and is commonly used on pizza. As noted by the University of Illinois Extension, oregano thrives in warm climates and a sunny location. For culinary use, avoid wild oregano, which has a less distinctive taste as well as a tendency to take over the garden. Greek oregano is a flavorful choice that is also easy to grow.

Thyme

• Add a twist to your tomato sauce with fresh thyme. Use different thyme varieties, like lemon thyme or caraway thyme, to add further dimension and flavor. Thyme is also widely utilized in Mediterranean cuisine, as well as French cooking, where it is one of the herbs used in bouquet garni. Thyme thrives in well-drained soils with full or partial sun. Combine a thyme-flavored tomato sauce with goat cheese ravioli or fresh ricotta cheese to really bring out its flavor.

Rosemary

• Rosemary makes a tasty addition to tomato sauces combined with red meat, like lamb or beef. Like thyme, rosemary is also a common ingredient in a bouquet garni, and the plant itself is very attractive. Rosemary does will in containers or in the garden, and requires a sunny location and consistent moisture. Rosemary has a strong astringent flavor, and you don't need a lot to impact the flavor of your tomato sauce. To enhance the appearance of your food, use a sprig of rosemary instead of the usual basil as garnish.