Italian Sauce

Traditionally known as “gravy”. Commonly known as “pasta sauce”. But, I call it “Italian Sauce” because it can be used on so much more than pasta!

INGREDIENTS

29 oz. Can of Tomato Sauce (preferably Hunts or Contadina)
6 oz. Can of Tomato Paste (preferably Hunts or Contadina)
2 Roma Tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 Medium Sweet Onion, finely chopped
3-4 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1.5 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. Red Wine
2 Tbsp. World Spice Merchants “Italian Herbs”
2 tsp. Red Crushed Chili Pepper
1 tsp. Garlic Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper

RECIPE

Chop onion and tomatoes, and mince garlic. Set aside.

In a medium/large sauce pan heat oil. Then add garlic, onions and ONE tablespoon of the Italian Herbs, saute until they start to become translucent.

Add tomatoes and continue to saute until they become soft.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, chili pepper, remaining Italian Herbs, garlic salt and pepper and stir well.
HINT #1: In a pinch, you can substitute a 30+ oz. bottle of basic pasta sauce instead of the tomato sauce and paste. If you do, omit the salt, pepper and 1/2 a teaspoon of the herbs.

Cover and simmer for at least two hours (the longer the better) over the smallest flame possible. Stir often.

Serve over your favorite pasta, use in your favorite lasagna or chicken parmesan recipe, or makes a great sauce for homemade pizza.
HINT #2: While this version is veggie-friendly, the carnivore crowd will be pleased to know that browning a pound of ground beef in the oil, onions, garlic and herbs (just before adding the tomatoes) turns this into a great meat sauce. You can also add some grilled Italian sausage or homemade meatballs to this sauce 1/2 hour before serving over pasta for a great main course.

Prep Time = 12 minutes
Cook Time = 2.25 hours
Serves 6-8

©2009 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at https://cavemancooking.wordpress.com authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.