Best Basic Red Sauce Small Batch Recipes

Basic Red Sauce image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) peeled plum tomatoes with juice, pureed
12 basil leaves, torn
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of crushed red-pepper flakes (optional)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
Add pureed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red-pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Season with pepper, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick, 25 to 30 minutes.

Classic Red Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 red onion, medium-diced
3 cloves garlic, cut into chunks
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons torn fresh basil
1 pound penne or spaghetti, cooked until al dente

Steps:

Puree the tomatoes to a smooth, creamy consistency in a food processor or with an immersion blender. (If you like a more country feel, you can wait and break them up in the pan later with a wooden spoon.)
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. When hot, add the onion and saute 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until you see the color start changing. If you'd like to make the sauce spicy, add the red pepper flakes.
Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer about 30 minutes. (If you did not puree the tomatoes, use a wooden spoon to break them into pieces while they cook.) Strive for balance in the consistency of the sauce: It has to be fluid, but it should not look overly wet. Add the basil and remove from the heat. Toss with just-cooked pasta.