Simplest tomato pasta sauce

This simple tomato pasta sauce is rich, velvety and incredibly comforting, made with just tomatoes, butter and onion. Inspired by Marcella Hazan’s iconic recipe, it’s the kind of back-pocket dinner that transforms pantry staples into something deeply satisfying. Perfect tossed through hot pasta with parmesan and black pepper.

It's Wednesday. Your cooking mojo might be beginning to crack. You might have a rather bare fridge and be feeling uninspired.

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This is perhaps the most famous recipe created by Marcella Hazan, the cookbook author who changed how Americans cook Italian food. It also may be her easiest.

Use your favourite tinned tomatoes for this and don’t be scared off by the butter. It gives the sauce an unparalleled velvety richness.

I’m Nellie, cooking teacher, recipe developer and founder of Relish Mama.

Since 2009, I’ve been bringing people together around real food, recipes made to cook, share, and enjoy.

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The Recipe

Simplest tomato pasta sauce

This simple tomato pasta sauce is rich, velvety and incredibly comforting, made with just tomatoes, butter and onion. Inspired by Marcella Hazan’s iconic recipe, it’s the kind of back-pocket dinner that transforms pantry staples into something deeply satisfying. Perfect tossed through hot pasta with parmesan and black pepper.
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Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 with pasta
Author: Nellie Kerrison | Relish Mama

Ingredients

  • 2 x 400g tins whole peeled tomatoes or whole cherry tomatoes in addition to their juices
  • 100 g unsalted butter
  • 1 onion peeled and cut in half

Instructions

  • Place a saucepan over medium-high heat. 
  • Add the tomatoes, butter, onion halves, and a pinch of salt. 
  • Crush the tomatoes lightly with the back of a spoon as they cook, and stir occasionally.
  • Simmer very gently for 45 minutes, or until droplets of fat appear on the surface of the tomatoes, then lower the heat. Remove and discard the onion.
  • Serve over hot pasta with parmesan and black pepper, if desired.
  • Ps – Basil leaves are a fabulous addition!

Notes

To serve

  • Al dente pasta
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper

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