Quick Tomato Sauce Dinner

Canned tomatoes are one of the great convenience foods of the world. My pantry may be stuffed full, but it feels empty to me if I don't have at least a few cans of tomatoes on hand. If you've got canned tomatoes, an onion, garlic, some spices and herbs, some olive oil, and some pasta (or gnocchi in this case) you can have dinner in 25 minutes or less, depending on how fast you can chop that onion and garlic. If you have a bit of red wine to add to the sauce (you know, half-empty bottle in the fridge left over from a holiday party), then all the better!

Start your water boiling for the pasta (or gnocchi) first thing and then it should be ready to go so that you can cook your pasta during the last 5-10 minutes that sauce is cooking.

Simple Tomato Sauce
Amounts are approximate. Adjust to suit your tastes.

1/4 C olive oil or so
1/2 onion, diced (or more or less to taste)
1 Tbs chopped garlic
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained (save the "tomato water" in case you need it).
1/2 C to 1 C red wine (this adds a richness to the flavor)
1 Tbs tomato paste (or a 1 tsp or so tomato powder). For thickening and flavor. If you don't have this, don't worry.
2 tsp to 3 tsp paprika
big pinch of sugar
1 tsp dried herbs (suggestions: oregano, basil, Italian herb mix) or 1 Tbs fresh
a bit of ground black pepper
salt to taste
freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Heat oil in large pan. Over medium heat cook onion and garlic in oil until softened and translucent. Try to not let it brown. Add tomatoes, wine, paste, paprika, sugar and herbs. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. If it dries out too much, lower the heat and add some of the drained tomato water. Add a few grindings of pepper and salt to taste (check first. it might not need any salt!). Serve over pasta or gnocchi. If you like, garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

I think this sauce is best plain, but if you want something a bit more substantial you can add 1/2 lb. chopped Italian sausage (as pictured above). Chop sausage while onions are cooking, brown in a pan, and then add to the sauce during it's last five minutes or so of simmering.

Comments

[Gustad Mody]

i would use fresh more often, but canned is soo much cheeper! oh well, they are still good

[Kitchen Chick]

That's why it's *quick* tomato sauce. :-) While it doesn't take long to skin and chop a few tomatoes, sometimes after a long work day that seems like a bit too much effort.

[CookingChat]

I agree, canned tomatoes are key to have around esp now that summer is a distant memory. Paprika in the sauce--interesting. One of the quick meals on my blog also uses canned tomatoes for the sauce along with spinach & garlic, then tossed with tortellini.