Need a good, plain pasta sauce

I REALLY want to learn hoe to make my own sauce. Does anyone have a good starter recipe? Just a warning, I hate chunky sauce, so the smoother the better...(though I suppose anything can be smoothed with a blender...)

TIA.

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

put some olive oil in a big pot and heat it, add garlic and cook until it is slightly brown. Next, add crushed tomatoes to the pot.......(you can crush them more in the blender if you want with a can of tomatoe paste). Next, add meatballs, sausage and cook all day. It is very basic but it is yummy.

Message edited 1/29/2008 8:44:04 PM.

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

check out rachael ray.. shes got a lot of good, easy sauces.
we made one tonight... basically just olive oil and some garlic in a deep skillet frying pan until the garlic starts browning... then dump in a can of crushed tomatoes and some fresh basil leaves torn up. let it simmer while the pasta cooks- yummy!
we even added a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes to make it a little bit spicy.... realy good!

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

Super Simple Tomato-Basil Sauce


3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (16-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Pinch sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 fresh basil leaves, chopped


Coat a saucepan with 2 tablespoons of the oil and warm over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until soft. Add the crushed tomatoes and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat up slightly to medium and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the basil and the remaining olive oil. Toss with spaghetti, if desired

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

2 large cans crushed tomatoes
2 small cans tomato paste
2 small cans tomato sauce

Sprinkle both basil and oregano acorss the top (enough to cover the top)

A dash of sugar to cut acidity

some chopped garlic, either browned in olive oil or put right in.

You can also add browned sausage (mild italian) for some flavor.

I simmer mine in the crock pot for a few hours on low.

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

if you want a really smooth sauce...dont use crushed tomatos...use pureee only

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

I think it's really important to experiment with brands of tomatoes to find the one you really like. Most are too sweet for me, but some people are used to sweet sauce.

Muir Glen and Redpack both consistently rate highly in blind taste tests. I only use Muir Glen tomatoes for pasta sauce.

Message edited 1/30/2008 3:32:21 PM.

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

Thank you for all of the yummy replies!!

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

I buy only San Marzano its a lil pricey but I find its the closest to home made. Home made sauces are bland & you season them up your self. You can use the san marzano & add nothing & it still tastes fantastic.

If im looking to make a basic sauce i just use garlic , onions basil & oil. I dont chop the onions I actuially grate them imo better that way . & I fry up the onion first till its translucent & then I add the garlic. I dont bronw the garlic as it gets bitter that way & add the sauce & viola.. If you want it a lil thicker then u can add a can of paste to the the onions & oil b4 adding the sauce

Re: Need a good, plain pasta sauce

this is for a 3 28 oz cans of tomatoes. (I like Sclafani...not too $$ and good)

6-8 garlic bulbs, minced
1 small onion, diced

sautee in a few tbsp olive oil until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant

add cans of tomatoes. simmer for 1 hour (partially covered to avoid spatter)

add tons of fresh chopped basil. oregano, salt, pepper and about a cup of white (or red) wine.

simmer for another hour or 2 to thicken. check for seasoning.. add more if necessary.

toward the end, add a half a cup (or more) of FRESHLY grated parmigiano reggiano (please for the love of God do not use canned cheese) and crushed red pepper if you like.

and viola. the end.

sometimes I'll fry up some meatballs and or sausage first and then add to the pot. it's a very versatile marinara.

Message edited 1/31/2008 5:07:06 PM.