Tasty Basic Tomato Sauce

Name: Tasty Basic Tomato Sauce
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 small onions, finely diced; 1 small garlic head (about 10-15 cloves), minced; 3 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes; 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste; 1 cup full-bodied red wine; 2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves; 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves; 3 bay leaves; 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes; Coarse (kosher) salt, to taste

11 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions, finely diced
1 small garlic head (about 10-15 cloves), minced
3 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 cup full-bodied red wine
2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
3 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
Coarse (kosher) salt, to taste

Directions

1

Heat the oil in a medium-large, heavy, nonreactive saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
2

Add the onions and garlic and cook, covered, until softened and translucent but not browned, about 8 minutes.
3

Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, and pepper flakes and increase the heat to medium.
4

Bring to a slow boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and reduced by about one third, 2 to 3 hours, depending on the brand of canned tomatoes youre using.
5

When the sauce has reached the desired consistency, remove the pan from the heat and discard the bay leaves.
6

Season with salt, then use immediately or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.