This is my go to sauce for pasta. It is a vegetarian, red sauce that I’ve been eating m whole life. Traditionally it would have been made with meatballs or seafood when I was growing up, but today I like the vegetarian version, flavored with garlic and mushrooms. From time to time, I also enjoy adding veggies to the sauce, so experiment and add your favorite veggies. I like adding zucchini, trombetta (an Italian squash) or broccoli.
If you want to add meatballs or sausage, you can brown those first in the olive oil. Then add the garlic and mushrooms with a little more olive oil if needed and continue with the recipe.
The effort to make your own sauce instead of buying in a jar is worth the effort!
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- 6 to 8 ounces white/crimini mushrooms
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1-28 ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, use cup red wine Marzano tomatoes if you can find them
- 1-28 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon basil
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper, fresh ground
- ¼ cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese – optional
- other vegetables – optional
Equipment
Blender or food processor
Large pot
Directions
- Peel and mince garlic, set aside. Slice mushrooms. Remove skin from onion, but leave it whole.
- In a large pot, add the olive oil and turn heat to medium high. Add the garlic and stir one minute.
- Add the sliced mushrooms, stir and simmer for 2 minutes, adjust heat if needed.
- Blend diced tomatoes in a blender, add them to the pot along with the tomato sauce, stir. Add the whole, peeled onion.
- Add the spices, cheese and wine.
- Adjust heat to high until sauce becomes hot, then lower heat and simmer sauce for 30 minutes minimum, longer if you have the time. The onion should remain whole but become translucent and cooked. Stir the sauce occasionally. The sauce will change colors, from bright red to a more orangish color.
- Once the sauce is done, remove the onion with a slotted spoon and discard.
- Serve with your favorite pasta.
If you want to make your own homemade pasta, check out Cindy’s recipe.
