Reply #29: Super easy red sauce! [View All]

Easy red sauce for pasta

1 can tomatoes diced (15 or 16 oz)
1 can tomato sauce (15 0z)
1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Garlic clove or more if you wish
onion diced
oregano to taste
pinch of salt
brown sugar to cover the palm of your hand

Mushrooms or meat or some combo of your choice.

Saute onion and garlic in the olive oil in a large pan, when onion is cooked add the can of tomatoes and the can of sauce. Rinse cans with water (about half a can) and add to pan.

Add oregano or other Italian spices to taste along with the salt, then add brown sugar. (Note on the brown sugar--I never measure it--it is just a small mound that covers the palm of the hand--don't get all worked up about the amount here--OK?)

If you want to add some kind of cooked meat (hamburger, cooked sausage, or even diced pepperoni. Veggie hamburger works too!)--do it now, along with any mushrooms or other stuff you like in sauce. (I've used diced zucchini, shredded carrots, chopped spinach--anything goes!)

After it all simmers for a few minutes--about 20 or so--stir in the tomato paste. It will serve to thicken the brew. Cook for a few more minutes and then re-adjust your spices.

IF you like, you can stir in Parmesan cheese just before you pull the sauce off the heat. It gives a nice flavor to the sauce, but it WILL burn, so do put it in last!

Serve over cooked drained pasta.

Don't laugh--but it is easy to make, and it tastes like you cooked all day!


Laura