Basic, yet undeniably delicious tomato sauce for all your Italian needs

Stop!  Don’t open that jar of Prego!  Or Ragu!  Or Hunts!

You can make a supremely superior tomato sauce at home without having to resort to spaghetti sauce that contains corn syrup.  And “natural” flavoring.  I mean really…corn syrup?  Gag a maggot.

This is really quite simple….and what I have to do if I am out of my own canned Roasted Tomato Sauce.  Sometimes, even when I have my own convenience food on hand, I will still make this sauce because it is so easy and delicious.  So here goes….

2 T. Extra virgin olive oil

1 c. finely chopped onion

1 T. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional!)

28 oz. diced tomatoes, pureed in blender or food processor…best if you can find Italian tomatoes–they really are very delicious

16 oz. tomato sauce (two small cans)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 T. Italian seasoning

1/2 c. red wine

1.  Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pot.

2.  Add onion and saute until translucent, about five minutes.

3.  Add garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using)

4.  Saute for another 1-2 minutes.

5.  Add all of the ingredients and let simmer for at least half an hour.  Even better, for 60-90 minutes.  Don’t let it burn!

This makes enough for a 6 serving batch of pasta or coats one recipe of Meatballs.

To make it work for Lasagna, add tomato paste to make it even more thick.

If you are concerned about using wine, or don’t have it on hand, you can substitute broth flavored to go with what meat you are adding plus a tsp. of sugar.  You can also use grape juice, or even just water.  But the wine gives it the most amazing depth of flavor, and it does simmer for quite a while.  So up to you!

 

 

Tagged: pasta sauce, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce

Posted in: Canning, Dinner Ideas, Ethnic Foods, Italian Food, Vegetables