Pasta. Nearly everyone loves pasta. Tomato sauce is not the only sauce that can be used with pasta but in my opinion it is the best one to be paired with it. No need to buy the tomato sauce in the jar when homemade is so easy to make. This is a simple tomato sauce that is a perfect foundation for any pasta recipe, chicken or even pizza. Typically, I serve it with Angel Hair Spaghetti, with the addition of ground beef to the sauce.
According to Wikipedia, the use of tomato sauce with pasta appears for the first time in the Italian cookbook L’Apicio modern, by Roman Chef Francesco Leonardi, edited in 1790.
This recipe is adapted from a beloved cookbook that is no longer in print, European Cooking, Copyright 1958. It has traditional recipes from twenty-four countries, this recipe being adapted from Italy. The book was purchased by a family member years ago while in Europe and, fortunately for me, handed down to me.
The picky eaters in your family will love this. I know because it is a favorite of several picky eaters in my family.
Don’t worry about using canned tomatoes in this recipe. Just try to buy a good brand. I have used this recipe substituting fresh tomatoes in the summer and can’t tell a big difference between the two. This recipe can be doubled and it also can be frozen.
Italian Tomato Sauce for Pasta
Tomato Sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 28-ounce size can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 14.5-ounce size can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 cup beef stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Roughly chop the tomatoes and set aside.
Heat oil in a dutch oven and saute the onion until translucent. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and simmer uncovered 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally. Add oregano and basil and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Makes approximately 1 quart.
Meat Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 quart Tomato Sauce (see above recipe)
Heat olive oil and brown meat. Drain and return to the pan. Add tomato sauce and simmer uncovered about 1/2 hour. Serve over your favorite pasta.
Cooking with Love 