Pasta (Tomato) Sauce
This tomato-slash-pasta all-purpose sauce is incredibly quick and easy to make. And, it is amazingly versatile. Variations are limited only by the available ingredients and imagination. It also lends itself to freezing, which makes it a staple in my book.
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 to 2 lbs canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
- ground black pepper
- pinch salt
Directions
Put the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, or the butter is melted, add the onion and cook until soft, stirring occasionally (2-3 minutes). Add the tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
Cook until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally (10-15 minutes). Taste and season.
To freeze, let the sauce cool, and pack it freezer bags or tightly sealed containers in cup or two-cup quantities. To use, you can defrost slowly in fridge, quickly in the microwave, or gently in a covered saucepan, stirring occasionally.
Favorite Variations
- Use Fresh Tomatoes. Use butter rather than olive oil and substitute fresh ripe tomatoes (2 cups peeled and seeded) for the canned.
- Add Fresh Herbs. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, parsley, or a combination at the last minute. Or, add smaller amounts of stronger herbs: 10 sage leaves, 1 Tablespoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, or 1 Tablespoon oregano.
- Add Roasted Red Peppers. Add 1 or more roasted (or grilled) red peppers when you add the tomatoes.
- Make It Spicy! Leave out the onion, add 1 Tablespoon chopped garlic to the oil with 3-5 (or more) small dried red chiles. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is brown. Turn off the heat, add the tomatoes, and then resume cooking. Remove the chiles before serving.
- Make it Garlicky! Leave out the onion. Lightly smash and peel 5-10 (or more) cloves of garlic. Cook the garlic in the oil or butter over medium-low heat until golden (about 5 minutes). Raise the heat, add the tomatoes, and resume cooking per the directions.
