Spaghetti Sauce Made With Tomato Paste
Spaghetti sauce, also known as marinara sauce, is a staple in Italian cuisine. It's a versatile sauce that can be used in various dishes, including pasta, pizza, and lasagna. One of the easiest ways to make spaghetti sauce is by using tomato paste. In this article, we'll show you how to make spaghetti sauce using tomato paste, step by step.
What You'll Need
Before we get started, let's go over the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 can of tomato paste (6 ounces)
- 2 cans of diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let's start making the spaghetti sauce.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste and stir well to combine with the onion and garlic.
- Add the diced tomatoes, including their juice, and stir well.
- Add the dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the sauce and add sugar, if needed, to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Once the sauce is done, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
That's it! Your spaghetti sauce made with tomato paste is ready to use. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips for Making the Perfect Spaghetti Sauce
Now that you know how to make spaghetti sauce using tomato paste, here are some tips to help you make the perfect sauce:
- Use high-quality ingredients. Since this recipe only has a few ingredients, it's important to use high-quality ones to get the best flavor.
- Don't skip the onion and garlic. These two ingredients add a lot of flavor to the sauce.
- Add sugar to balance out the acidity. If your sauce tastes too acidic, add a little sugar to balance it out.
- Let the sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and creates a richer, more flavorful sauce.
- If you like a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it's smooth.
Conclusion
Making spaghetti sauce with tomato paste is a quick and easy way to get a delicious homemade sauce. With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you can have a flavorful sauce that's perfect for pasta, pizza, and more. We hope this article has been helpful, and happy cooking!