Start by placing a medium sized pot on the stove at a low to medium heat. Once the pot is up to heat add olive oil, onions, and a pinch of salt. Allow the onions to sweat for 5 minutes. Add the minces garlic and cook for another 2 minutes

Now add the tomatoes, water, oregano, basil, bay leaves, sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Let the pot come up to a simmer and reduce heat to low and keep simmering for 45 minutes.

Remove from heat and take out the bay leaves. pour the sauce into a blender or use an immersion blender in the pot and blend until the mixture is smooth and there are no clumps of tomatoes remaining.

Place back into the pot on the low heat and continue cooking at a low simmer for another 45 minutes or until the sauce reached your desired thickness and consistency. The lower the heat and longer you cook, the more deep and rich the flavors get.

If you have some, try adding 3 tablespoons of tomato paste for an even richer and more tomatoey flavor. Or maybe 2 tablespoons of good unsalted butter to soften the flavors and deepen the richness.