What makes lasagne sauce taste sweet?

[mynameiswah]

When I make it it doesn't ever have that 'sweet' flavour I get in restaurants and bought lasagnes - what is it that they use? Marinara sauce or something? I've looked at recipes online and I just can't see anything specific... They usually just say tomato sauce.. and white sauce with milk.. is it the right combination of the two that creates that sweetness? Just curious!

[YourOpinionIsNoted]

Sugar!

[Redshoeblueshoe]

Put a bit of sugar in your tomato sauce, delicious

[Mum2jenny]

Sugar definitely.

[SisterAgatha]

They add sugar. Most tomato recipes call for sugar. Even if personally you do not add it, a lot of chefs will.

[INeedNewShoes]

Time! You want the tomato sauce to simmer very gently for a minimum of 1.5 hours before you even assemble the lasagne.

[Loopyloopy1]

Yep, sugar when making the tomato sauce!

Or you could add balsamic vinegar?

[TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead]

Sugar! A jar of Dolmio sauce contains 5 or 6 spoons of sugar

How come you did not know?

[slipperywhensparticus]

Brown sugar x1 spoon or white x2

[CheddarGorgeous]

They add sugar! Ingredients for Dolmio lasagne sauce:

Tomatoes (76%), Tomato Paste (15%), Modified Maize Starch, Onion, Sugar, Salt, Basil (0.4%), Garlic, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Herb, Parsley, Spices

[mynameiswah]

Really?! As simple as that? There's me thinking there's a specific type of Italian sauce that I didn't know about!

[Thekindyoufindinasecondhand]

I always add 2 sweeteners to any tomato based sauce. Adds a sweetness and no more calories.

(Yes I know sweetener is full of lots of chemicals )

[mynameiswah]

I don't use Dolmio, I was making my own up with tinned tomato, herbs, vinegar etc. I guess I need to make it more tasty!

[AmazingGreats]

Yes a spoonful of sugar or two
The quality of tomatoes helps a lot too, and adding some tomato purée and/or letting the tomatoes cook for a long time

[AnuvvaMuvva]

@mynameiswah You're adding vinegar to your tomato sauces? Why?

[MrsMoastyToasty]

Heinz tomato ketchup (the regular one). About a tablespoon full.

[eurochick]

Sugar and skip the vinegar

[Mum2jenny]

If doing it from scratch, you need sugar to balance the acidity from the tomatoes. It doesn’t need to be much, but a pinch of sugar makes a difference.

[doodlejump1980]

I was going to say nutmeg in the white sauce.

[Palavah]

Sugar, plus cooking the tomatoes long + slow enough to reduce down and release their natural sugar. Plus salt to bring it out...

[Palavah]

Balsamic vinegar works but you need to let the acidity cook off.

[SingingMyOwnSpecialSong]

I put a little bit of treacle in mine, half a tsp. Gives it a nice deep colour too.

[Fortheloveofscience]

I was going to say nutmeg in the white sauce.

Me too!

[SwedishEdith]

I add a dollop of redcurrant jelly.

[notapizzaeater]

Me three


I was going to say nutmeg in the white sauce.

[rosettesforjill]

Yes to sugar, but you may not need it in a bolognese if you add finely chopped carrot and celery when softening the onion!