Name: Arrabbiata Sauce
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/4 cup finely chopped onion; 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 4 garlic cloves , minced; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1/4 teaspoon sugar; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Why This Recipe Works

To replicate the long-simmered flavor of traditional tomato sauce in our quick-cooking version, we start by caramelizing onions—finely diced for more surface area—in butter. Dried herbs and garlic complete the base flavors. Canned crushed tomatoes, which require no chopping or pureeing, are the bulk of our sauce, and a pinch of sugar rounds out their tang. Stir in a few final ingredients at the end, and guests will think this 20-minute concoction has been simmering on the stove all day.

Before You Begin

The test kitchen’s preferred brands of crushed tomatoes are Muir Glen Organic Crushed Tomatoes with Basil and Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes in Thick Puree with Basil.

Instructions

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and oregano and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and sugar, increase heat to high, and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in parsley and oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.