Simple Tomato Sauce

By gmbeckett

The key to this simple, tasty sauce is using good-quality tomatoes, such as the San Marzano variety. This recipe makes double the amount of sauce you need for these baked pastas, but it freezes well, so enjoy leftovers tossed with spaghetti and grated parmesan cheese for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (28oz) whole tomatoes
• 2 cans (5 1/2 oz) tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 2 sprigs fresh basil and/or parsley
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• 1 tsp salt

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 5mins
Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

In large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute onion and garlic until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes, breaking up with spoon. Stir in tomato paste, water, basil, parsley, bay leaves and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, covered and stirring frequently to prevent scorching, for 30 minutes.

Discard bay leaves, basil and parsley.