Simple Tomato Sauce

This is the most basic of all tomato sauces. It's delicious and easy to make, so make it a go-to recipe for those busy days when you know you need to eat but don't want to give in to the temptation of eating out ONCE AGAIN.

Note that the recipe calls for fresh basil. This is absolutely not negotiable. Dried basil has its place in many recipes, but this is NOT one of them. During the spring and summer months, I keep a couple of fresh basil plants out by my patio. Unfortunately, I'm not skilled enough with plant life to keep those puppies alive in my house during the colder months. Lucky for me, though, I can easily find fresh basil in most grocery stores year round. Which means you can, too. Spend the extra dollar or two b/c this recipe is worth it.

Simple Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

5-6 fresh garlic cloves, minced

1 small yellow onion, chopped fine

2 regular cans of crushed tomatoes

1 small can of tomato sauce

1 dash of red pepper flakes

1 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Spray the bottom of a medium-sized saucepan and turn the heat on medium. Mince the garlic and chop the onion. When the pan is hot, toss in the garlic and onion, plus a dash of red pepper flakes, and sauté until the garlic and onions are soft, stirring occasionally. Watch them to make sure they don’t get hot enough to get brown. You want them soft and translucent.

Once the garlic and onions have sautéed, add the crushed tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer for about 15 minutes, and then toss in the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste, return the sauce to a simmer once more for about 15 minutes.

Serve this sauce with spaghetti, cooked al dente. Sprinkle with fresh shaved parmesan.