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Garden Tomato Sauce

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

1¼ hours

Yield

Serves 6 to 8 (Makes about 2 1/2 cups)

Garden Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, minced1 medium carrot, peeled and minced1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes ½ teaspoon table salt

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion and carrots; cook over medium heat until vegetables soften, but do not brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to boil; simmer until sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Adjust seasonings
  2. For a chunky, more rustic sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley or basil. Toss with pasta and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. For a smooth, more refined sauce, puree mixture in a food processor or blender. Return pureed sauce to pan and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce starts to bubble and thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss with pasta and serve with grated Parmesan.
Garden Tomato Sauce

Garden Tomato Sauce

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

1¼ hours

Yield

Serves 6 to 8 (Makes about 2 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, minced
1 medium carrot, peeled and minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
½ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, minced
1 medium carrot, peeled and minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
½ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, minced
1 medium carrot, peeled and minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
½ teaspoon table salt

Why This Recipe Works

Carrots and onions give this sauce a sweetness that contrasts nicely with rich pasta fillings.

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion and carrots; cook over medium heat until vegetables soften, but do not brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to boil; simmer until sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Adjust seasonings
  2. For a chunky, more rustic sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley or basil. Toss with pasta and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. For a smooth, more refined sauce, puree mixture in a food processor or blender. Return pureed sauce to pan and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce starts to bubble and thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss with pasta and serve with grated Parmesan.

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