Simple Tomato Sauce

We test the best method for making a quick, simple pasta sauce using only canned tomatoes, garlic, salt, olive oil, a dash of sugar, and basil.

YIELD Dresses 3/4 pound pasta: 3

Simple Tomato Sauce photo

Why This Recipe Works

Gather Your Ingredients

Key Equipment

Key Equipment - The Best Chef’s Knives for $75 or Less

Before You Begin

*

The pasta and sauce quantities can be doubled, but you will have to simmer the sauce for an extra five or six minutes to thicken it. Although 3/4 of a pound of pasta may seem an odd quantity, a full pound of pasta will dilute the sauce, resulting in a lack of flavor.

Instructions

1.

If using diced tomatoes, go to step 3

2.

If using whole tomatoes, drain and reserve liquid. Dice tomatoes either by hand or in work bowl of food processor fitted with metal blade (three or four pulses at 1/2 second). Tomatoes should be coarse, with 1/4-inch pieces visible. If necessary, add enough reserved liquid to tomatoes to total 2 cups.

3.

Mix garlic with 1 teaspoon water in small bowl. Heat oil and garlic mixture in 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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