Are you tired of bland, store-bought pasta sauces that leave your taste buds begging for more? Get ready to transform your home cooking with Carey's Easy Red Sauce - a mouthwatering Italian classic that's so simple, even novice cooks can master it! This restaurant-worthy sauce is packed with rich, vibrant flavors that will make your family think you've been secretly trained by an Italian grandmother.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the saucepan and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The garlic should become fragrant but not browned.
- Pour the entire can of crushed tomatoes into the saucepan, stirring to combine with the onions and garlic.
- Sprinkle dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper into the sauce. Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or sugar to balance the flavors.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce rest for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce can be used immediately with pasta, as a pizza base, or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Use fresh garlic for the most robust flavor - pre-minced garlic from a jar just won't compare!
- Low and slow is the key to developing deep, complex flavors. Don't rush the simmering process.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a splash of red wine or a few fresh basil leaves during the last few minutes of cooking.
- If the sauce seems too acidic, the sugar helps balance the tomatoes' natural tartness. Adjust to your taste.
- This sauce freezes beautifully! Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months for a quick and delicious meal prep option.
- For a smoother sauce, you can blend it briefly with an immersion blender after cooking.
- Always taste and adjust seasonings at the end of cooking for perfect flavor balance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 118kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
