The Perfect Italian Tomato Sauce: A Simple and Flavorful Recipe

🍅Italian tomato sauce is essential in many Italian dishes and is a vital building block of Italian cuisine.

🔪Chop onions and garlic finely to create a flavorful base for the sauce.

⏰Cook the onions and garlic in olive oil for at least 10 minutes to allow them to melt and release their flavors.

🌶️A simple tomato sauce can be enhanced with ingredients like finely diced carrots and thinly sliced celery.

🥫Simmer the tomato sauce with crushed Italian tomatoes and tomato puree for about 20 minutes to achieve a thick and jammy consistency.

How can I make the sauce richer?

—You can add finely diced carrots and thinly sliced celery to enhance the flavors and richness of the sauce.

How do I know when the pasta is cooked?

—The pasta should be al dente, which means it should be tender to the bite with a little bit of resistance. Taste it to ensure it is cooked to your liking.

Should I put olive oil in the pasta water?

—No, it is unnecessary and wasteful. Instead, season the pasta water with salt to add flavor to the pasta.

Can I remove the seeds from the crushed tomatoes?

—In traditional Italian cooking, the seeds are not removed from the tomatoes. They are left to contribute to the overall flavor and texture of the sauce.

What should I serve with the tomato sauce?

—The tomato sauce is versatile and can be served with pasta, pizza, ragus, stews, and more. It pairs well with a variety of Italian dishes.

00:00Italian tomato sauce is a vital building block of Italian cuisine.

01:10Chop onions and garlic finely to create a flavor base for the sauce.

02:55Cook the onions and garlic in olive oil for at least 10 minutes to release their flavors.

05:30Simmer the tomato sauce with crushed Italian tomatoes and tomato puree for about 20 minutes.

06:00Adding finely diced carrots and thinly sliced celery can enhance the sauce's flavors and richness.

08:50Taste the pasta to ensure it is al dente, tender to the bite with a little resistance.

09:57Season the pasta water with salt to add flavor to the pasta.

10:40Serve the tomato sauce over al dente pasta with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.