Basic tomato and basil sauce for pasta

Preparation time

less than 30 mins

Cooking time

30 mins to 1 hour

Serves

Serves 6

Dietary

Vegetarian

This is a really easy pasta sauce recipe - vary the flavour by adding different ingredients (see Top recipe tip below).

Each serving provides 112kcal, 2.5g protein, 11.5g carbohydrates (of which 11g sugars), 6g fat (of which 0.8g saturates), 2g fibre and trace salt.

By Jo' Pratt

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 garliccloves, crushed
  • 3 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes
  • ¼ - ½ tsp dried chilliflakes
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 large handful basilleaves, torn into small pieces
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Grated parmesancheese, to serve (optional)

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a saucepan and gently cook the onion and garlic until softened. Stir in the tomatoes, chilli flakes, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook slowly for 45 minutes-1 hour. Stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. This can be left chunky or blended in a food processor for a smooth sauce.

  2. Serve spooned over cooked pasta with plenty of parmesan cheese.

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