Imagine a tomato sauce so incredibly delicious that it requires only five ingredients and minimal effort - a culinary miracle that will transform your cooking forever! Marcella Hazan's iconic tomato sauce is the secret weapon that professional chefs and home cooks swear by, proving that sometimes the most extraordinary flavors emerge from the simplest techniques. Get ready to discover a sauce that will revolutionize your pasta nights and impress even the most discerning food critics with its rich, velvety texture and deeply satisfying taste.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can whole tomatoes
- 1 onion, halved
- 5 tablespoons butter
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 can of whole tomatoes, 1 onion, 5 tablespoons of butter, salt, and pepper.
- Place a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the 5 tablespoons of butter to the pan and allow it to melt gently, being careful not to let it brown.
- While the butter is melting, take the onion and cut it in half. You do not need to peel it, as the skin will impart flavor to the sauce.
- Once the butter has melted, add the halved onion to the saucepan, cut side down. Let the onion cook in the butter for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes soft and translucent.
- While the onion is cooking, open the can of whole tomatoes. Pour the tomatoes into the saucepan, including their juices.
- Using a wooden spoon, break the tomatoes into smaller pieces, but be careful not to over-mash them; you want some texture in the sauce.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper, then adjust according to your preference.
- Once the tomatoes are broken down, reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes. The flavors will meld together, and the sauce will thicken slightly. If it becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of water to reach your desired consistency.
- After 30 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the halved onion from the sauce and discard it, as its flavor has already infused into the sauce.
- Your Marcella Hazan Tomato Sauce is now ready to be served. It pairs beautifully with pasta, pizza, or as a base for other dishes.
- Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- Use high-quality whole canned tomatoes for the best flavor - San Marzano tomatoes are ideal.
- Don't rush the cooking process; low and slow is the key to developing deep, complex flavors.
- Keep the onion halved and intact during cooking, removing it before serving to infuse subtle sweetness.
- Use unsalted butter to control the salt content of your sauce.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning gradually - you can always add more salt, but you can't take it away.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to achieve your desired consistency.
- This sauce freezes beautifully, so make a double batch and save some for later.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 154kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 40mg
