Spaghetti Sauce

A delicious homemade spaghetti sauce can elevate your pasta dishes to a whole new level. This recipe combines fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs to create a rich and flavorful sauce that will have your taste buds singing.

Tasting Notes:

This spaghetti sauce boasts a perfect balance of tanginess from the tomatoes, sweetness from the onions, and depth of flavor from the herbs and spices. It’s hearty, comforting, and pairs wonderfully with any type of pasta.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1/4 cup red wine (optional, for depth of flavor)
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Kitchen Equipment:

• Large skillet or saucepan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
5. Once the beef is browned, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
6. If using, pour in the red wine and sugar, then stir again.
7. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
9. Serve the spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta, garnished with freshly chopped basil leaves.

Pro Tips:

• For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use finely diced vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture.
• To make a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce after simmering.
• Double the batch and freeze the extra sauce in portions for quick and easy meals in the future.

Variations:

• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Incorporate diced carrots and celery for added sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Experiment with different herbs like parsley, thyme, or marjoram for a unique twist.

FAQs: