Simply Tasty Pasta Sauce

This rich tomato based sauce is the base for so much kitchen goodness! It's a perfect example of how a bit of time in the kitchen (not much more than if you simmered a canned or jarred version) can give you an amazing foundation for so many meals.

I started making my own pasta sauce years ago when we happened to get a free issue of Cooks Illustrated that included a recipe using canned tomatoes. Over the years I’ve tweaked that recipe, playing with the herbs, ratios, and even trying fresh tomatoes (if you go this route, plan on more time for simmering and tomato paste to thicken the sauce), and have always had a winner. In other words, you cannot mess this up!

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Simply Tasty Pasta Sauce

Makes: 3 12 ounce jars | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25-30 mins

Ingredients

• 48 oz canned crushed tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup of onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 6 leaves of fresh basil, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder (more or less to taste)
• 1 tablespoon of oregano
• 1 tablespoon of rosemary
• 1 tablespoon of parsley
• 1 tablespoon of pepper
• 2 teaspoon sugar, divided in half
• Extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Add the butter to a large saucepan and heat over medium low heat until butter melts, swirling the butter to coat the pan.
2. Add onion and cook 10-15 minutes until golden, stirring occasionally. Note it is very important to cook the onions slowly and to keep a close eye on them. Burnt onions equal a more bitter flavor which nobody wants.
3. Once the onion is a golden color, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring rapidly.
4. Gradually add the tomatoes, mixing throughly after each addition.
5. Add all spices and 1 teaspoon of sugar to the tomato mixture (omit the basil if using fresh and not dried).
6. Stir until well combined and gently boil for 5 minutes.
7. Taste sauce and add remaining sugar and additional dried spices to taste. Lower heat to low setting and allow to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, again tasting and adding any additional dried spices as desired.
8. Once you have reached desired flavor. simmer for 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally (you may simmer uncovered or covered if you wish).
9. Remove from heat and add olive oil and fresh basil (if used) and stir.

Serve immediately over your favorite pasta or meats, or cool and store in containers.

Tips

• If you use fresh basil in this recipe do not add it in with the dried spices. The fresh basil will wilt and have a bit of a bitter flavor if simmered for this long. The dried will hold up to simmering a bit better and can be added when you add all other dried spices.
• Since this recipe calls for using canned tomatoes, try to seek out the best quality canned tomatoes you can afford. Some brands have a tinnish flavor which can be masked by adding spices but then you lose the tomato flavor. I have had amazing luck with both the Mutti brand and the Aldi exclusive brand Happy Harvest.
• This sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks (though in my house it does not last that long!).
• Pair it with my Basic French Bread, some pasta and good Parmesan and this will make a wonderful gift for a housewarming, new parents, a sick friend or loved one, or a just because.