Description
This Authentic Pomodoro Sauce is a classic Italian tomato sauce made from simple, fresh ingredients. Perfectly balanced with garlic, onion, basil, and a hint of red pepper flakes, this sauce is easy to prepare and ideal for serving with your favorite pasta. It offers a fresh, flavorful, and slightly spicy complement to any Italian dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pomodoro Sauce
- 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 cups water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Pasta
- 1 lb cooked pasta
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, water, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and encourage thickening.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the fresh chopped basil leaves and the red pepper flakes. Continue cooking until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Finally, toss the sauce with your favorite cooked pasta and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor; dried basil can be substituted but reduce quantity.
- Adjust the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes to your preference.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender after simmering.
- Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.
