Ingredients
Method
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large saucepan (or deep sauté pan) over medium-high heat until melted. Add crushed red pepper flakes and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes or until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Add in the tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Continue cooking the sauce, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon (or potato masher) as you go, until the sauce reaches a low simmer. Reduce heat to medium to maintain a steady simmer. Then let the sauce continue to cook uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened** and reached your desired consistency.
- Stir in the basil, salt and pepper. Then taste the sauce, and season with any extra salt, pepper and/or crushed red pepper flakes as needed.
- Serve immediately. Or let the sauce cool and then refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- For optimal depth, use high-quality San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes; their balance of sweetness and acidity is unmatched.
- To truly control the spice level, taste the sauce before adding additional red pepper flakes. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- If the sauce becomes too thick during simmering, add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency. I once added too much pasta water and ended up with a runny sauce, so add it gradually. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- To truly control the spice level, taste the sauce before adding additional red pepper flakes. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- If the sauce becomes too thick during simmering, add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency. I once added too much pasta water and ended up with a runny sauce, so add it gradually. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.