Basic Tomato Sauce

10 ingredients
10 steps

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Spanish onion, 1/4-inch dice
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried
  • 1/2 medium carrot, finely grated
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand and juices reserved
  • Salt
  • Spaghetti, cooked al dente
  • Whole basil leaves, for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan, (optional)

Directions

  1. 1
    In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  2. 2
    Add the onion and garlic, and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. 3
    Add the thyme and carrot, and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft.
  4. 4
    Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often.
  5. 5
    Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal.
  6. 6
    Season with salt and serve.
  7. 7
    This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.
  8. 8
    When ready to use, the cooked pasta should be added to a saucepan with the appropriate
  9. 9
    amount of sauce.
  10. 10
    Garnish with basil leaves and cheese, if using.

Products Matching These Ingredients

More Recipes to Try