Guest Recipe: Cam's Perfect Tomato Sauce

As winter fades into the morning sun and spring steps upon us, we turn our heads to lighter meals that can sustain your day, are quick to make, and are succulent in taste.

Italian food sings from the heart - its pure simplicity, matched with fresh ingredients, are paramount to its taste combinations. Pasta dishes are at the centre of Italian cooking, where they strip classic food back to basics. Here we have a simple but incredibly tasting tomato sauce or ragu, as our Italian friends call it, that delivers on taste for everyone.

Using quality pasta and bespoke Italian cheese can make this dish of restaurant quality or be made highly affordable as a hearty mid-day or evening meal using basic ingredients. It can be vegan or easily tailored to your guest's other dietary needs. You can even spin it in your own way with your favourite ingredients. It’s so versatile!

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 45 min
• Total Time: 60 min

Serves: 4-6 servings

Category: Vegetarian,Pasta,Dinner

Ingredients

Pasta Sauce
• 800g of Plum Tomatoes - Supermarket basics for a low-cost option or premium Italian-sourced for a main meal
• 150g of salted butter or Plant-based salted butter for vegans
• Tablespoon of tomato puree
• Half an Onion - brown or white
• 500g of pasta - this can be budget, fresh, homemade, and vegan (without egg) – any shape works
• Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, basic cheddar or vegan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh Parsley (optional)

Equipment

• 2 large saucepans
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon
• Ladle
• Plates or bowls to serve and cutlery

Method

1. Empty both tins of tomatoes gently into a large pan, followed by the butter, half an onion, and a pinch of salt.
2. Cook uncovered on a low heat, making sure the sauce steadily simmers very slowly for 45 mins or until the fat from the butter floats free from the tomatoes.
3. While the sauce cooks, stir occasionally and use the back of the wooden spoon to gently mash the tomatoes against the side of the saucepan.
4. Just as the sauce is almost ready, take another saucepan, add a pinch of salt and water and bring it to a boil before reducing it slightly to a simmer.
5. Place the pasta in the boiling water and cook according to the pasta's instructions. I used rigatoni in this particular recipe, but you can use any you like – spaghetti, penne, fresh, organic – whatever works for you.
6. Add a ladle of pasta water from the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce and mix it in.
7. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, always tasting to get it to the desired balance.
8. Remove the onion and discard (or chop it up and use it in something else!)
9. Place the pasta on a plate or bowl and place a few spoonfuls of the sauce on top or mix the pasta with the sauce.
10. Sprinkle your chosen cheese on top. Add black pepper as desired and garnish with a fluttering of parsley.
11. Serve and enjoy!

This simple pasta dish can be modified to suit your taste. You can add a splash of virgin olive oil or garlic to give it that extra zing. Or some flavoursome roast vegetables such as broccoli and courgette. For meat lovers, chopped cured Italian ham or salami can be cooked into the sauce for that salty goodness. Even vegan bacon can be added.

Whatever your bag, get creative or leave it simple with this perfect tomato sauce. The choice is yours!

Cam has a huge interest in lifestyle and curating ideas that make people’s lives easier. He also enjoys creating content that discusses music, lifestyle, culture, and automobiles. Adapting his recipes to be able to fit into a busy lifestyle, Cam has shared his insights in a number of publications, including Physical Synthesis, The Scooter Co, Dungeon Mastering and The Paddle Shack.