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–+ servings
A close-up overhead view of traditional pasta with rustic sauces, garnished with fresh basil, served in a stainless steel pan.

Traditional Pasta With Rustic Sauces

This recipe focuses on creating a deeply flavorful, rustic tomato sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta. It emphasizes slow simmering and simple, high-quality ingredients for an authentic taste of traditional Italian cooking.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 3-4 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4-5 28oz cans San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes with juices
  • 2-3 Tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste or regular tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt each
  • 1/2 teaspoons black pepper each
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh basil for dried basil – 1 Tbsp
  • 2 teaspoons fresh oregano optional

Equipment

  • Large stainless steel pot
  • Hand immersion blender

Method
 

  1. In a large stainless steel pot on low-medium heat, sauté the minced garlic in olive oil for 30-60 seconds. Stir constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
  2. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices to the pot. Stir in the tomato paste, salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients together. Partially cover the pot with a lid, leaving a gap for steam to escape, and simmer on low heat for at least 3 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. If you are using a parmesan rind, add it during this step and let it simmer with the sauce until finished. Remove and discard the rind before serving.
  3. For a smoother sauce, use a hand immersion blender to puree the sauce once it has finished cooking. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can skip this step, as the tomatoes will break down naturally during the long simmer.
  4. Once the sauce is finished, stir in the chopped fresh herbs. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve hot with your favorite pasta.

Notes

This rustic tomato sauce is versatile and can be made ahead of time. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for longer storage.

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