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CuisineEuropeanItalianPastaHigh-FiberHigh-ProteinUnder 1 HourPescatarianOne-Pot or PanMeal PrepBig BatchStove TopDinnerEasyComfort Food

The Ultimate Tomato Sauce

featured in Tasty Tomato Sauce Recipes!

This tomato sauce is the ultimate Italian staple, simmered with garlic, onions, and a blend of spices for a rich and savory flavor that's perfect for any pasta dish.

Rie McClenny
Tasty Team
May 04, 2023
88% would make again
The Ultimate Tomato Sauce

Inspired by buzzfeed.com

Ingredients

for 8 servings

  • 28 oz canned whole tomatoes (790 g), 2 cans
  • 8 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup olive oil (60 mL)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 2 oz anchovies (50 g), 1 tin or jar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup tomato paste (110 g)
  • ½ cup dry red wine (120 mL)
  • 1 cup water (240 mL)
  • 1 lb spaghetti (455 g), or paste of choice, dry
  • 1 parmesan cheese, for grating

Nutrition Info

  • Calories 450
  • Fat 16g
  • Carbs 55g
  • Fiber 4g
  • Sugar 4g
  • Protein 16g

Estimated values based on one serving size.

Preparation

  1. Add the tomatoes to a deep, large bowl. Using your hands, crush the tomatoes until no large pieces remain, just a coarse tomato puree.
  2. Peel the garlic cloves and finely chop.
  3. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened but not browned, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the anchovies and the oil they are packed in. Cook, stirring occasionally, until dissolved into the oil, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add the red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
  6. Add the tomato paste and cook until it turns a dark, brick-red color, about 4 minutes (this caramelizes the sugars in the tomato, which will give a really great flavor and take the edge off that raw tomato-y taste).
  7. Add the wine and cook for about 1 minute, just to burn off the alcohol.
  8. Add the tomatoes and stir everything together, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to get all those good bits. Add water and bring it to a boil.
  9. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the sauce for 1½–2 hours at a very low simmer; there should just be a few bubbles here and there. If medium-low is too high (every stove is different), reduce the heat to low. Stir every 30 minutes.
  10. Ladle out about 2 cups of sauce: This is what is known as your "extra sauce." You'll serve it alongside the pasta or freeze it for later.
  11. To serve, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water.
  12. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Serve it right out of the pot, or transfer to a serving bowl. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
  13. Enjoy!
  14. Cook smarter, not harder. Use our AI chef Botatouille on the Tasty app. Download now.

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The Ultimate Tomato Sauce

Inspired by buzzfeed.com