Classic Red Sauce for Pasta

Yield 6

Pillar of Nutrition Eat the Rainbow

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Classic Red Sauce for Pasta

This sauce can be the starting point for many recipes, from simply tossing with pasta to using as a base for lasagna or a topping for pizza.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped or (1 tablespoon dried basil)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onions to the pot and stir to coat with oil. Cook until they become translucent (about 5 minutes).
3. Add the garlic to the pot and cook until fragrant.. Be careful no to burn it.
4. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil, and oregano to the pot and stir to combine.
5. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 20-30 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Notes

Variations to Try

• When tomatoes are in season, substitute the canned tomatoes for 6 cups of peeled, diced fresh tomatoes
• If you like a smooth sauce, puree the finished sauce with an immersion blender once it’s done cooking.

Something to Chew On

• Are tomatoes a vegetable or a fruit?
• Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, and folate.