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Easy Method Basic Red Sauce Recipe for Pasta, Pizza, and More

Easy Method Basic Red Sauce Recipe

A dependable Italian-American tomato sauce made with canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil. Serve it chunky or blend it smooth for pasta, pizza, vegetables, and more.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion, about 1 cup Small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 28-ounce can Whole peeled or crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano-style
Seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more to taste Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon, optional Dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon, optional Red-pepper flakes
  • 6-8 leaves Fresh basil leaves, torn
Optional Adjustments
  • 1 teaspoon, only if tomatoes taste notably acidic Sugar
  • 1/2 cup, as needed for consistency Water

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Warm the olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned.
  2. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red-pepper flakes if using. Cook for 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant, taking care not to darken the garlic.
  3. Add the tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Crush whole tomatoes with a spoon or potato masher, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a little water if the sauce becomes too thick before the tomatoes have mellowed.
  5. Stir in the basil during the final 5 minutes, or add fresh basil after removing the sauce from the heat. Taste and adjust the salt, adding sugar only if the tomatoes taste notably acidic.

Notes

For a smooth sauce, blend briefly with an immersion blender after simmering. For pasta, reserve some cooking water and stir a few tablespoons into the sauce while tossing. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days or freeze in portions for longer storage.