Ingredients and other factors readily influence tomato sauces. Storing tomatoes in cool dark places can permanently eliminate the flavor. Sugar, salt, and oil are added to further develop the flavors of tomato sauce. Sugar levels in tomato sauce are quantified by their Brix number as 1 gram of sugar to 100g of solution. The acceptable Brix range for fresh tomatoes is between 3.5 and 5.5, but tomato sauce requires a Brix number of at least 4.5. This can differ depending on the tomato varieties used.

The tomato is a versatile but volatile fruit with great potential and plentiful pitfalls. Processed tomatoes are generally broken down into paste, purée, and sauce according to their viscosity. Tomato paste often requires many hours of reduction in a sauce making machine to concentrate its characteristic potency and flavor. To contrast, tomato sauce may be produced in practically minutes from raw tomatoes, requiring only the preparation and some time in a tomato press, before mixing.