Basic Tomato Pomodoro Sauce Recipes

SUGO DI POMODORO (AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add passata, basil, and salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tomato sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove garlic halves before serving.

BASIC PARMESAN POMODORO

Steps:

• Heat a medium nonreactive saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 cup of the oil and the garlic, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the garlic, stirring often and mashing gently with a wooden spoon, until golden brown and beginning to soften, 5 minutes. Add the basil, tomatoes and their juices, the carrots and cheese rinds. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Bring to a simmer and adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 35 minutes stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
• Remove the rinds, carrots and basil. At this point you can use an immersion blender to puree slightly or leave it as a chunky sauce.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne 2 minutes less than the package directions. Meanwhile, rewarm the sauce in a large, straight-sided skillet set over medium heat. Using a spider, strain the pasta from the water and add it directly into the pan with sauce, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Before stirring, sprinkle the pasta with the grated cheese. Toss the pasta, cheese and sauce together. Add the butter, the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the reserved pasta water and continue to cook until the sauce is creamy and the pasta is al dente. Serve topped with more cheese if desired.

CAPELLINI POMODORO (PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water.
• Score a shallow "x" in the bottom of the tomatoes. Add tomatoes to the boiling water and cook uncovered until skin starts to peel off, about 1 minute. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Peel tomatoes.
• Transfer peeled tomatoes to a food mill, and process until smooth.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain, saving 1/4 cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
• While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add garlic and salt and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes and as much pasta water as desired. Simmer until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Divide pasta amongst 4 serving bowls. Top with tomato sauce and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve immediately.