It was my lucky day…
This recipe is the result of a special request. Dom and Nick were scooting out to run a few errands the other day, and on his way out the door, Dom asked if I had time to make sauce while they were out; he’d love to smell it simmering when they got home. Now, I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t make a lot of sauce in the summer. Every once in a while when we have a craving, I’ll grab my extra large saucepan and make a big pot to freeze, but for the most part – summer meals are either grilled or tossed.
Anyway – I was very happy to oblige, but because it was so late in the day, I wanted to make a quick sauce. And then it came to me…Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion.
Lucky. Day.
Have you guys seen this recipe before?
The first time I saw it I almost fell off my chair. Fresh or canned whole tomatoes with their juices, the better part of a stick of butter, a whole sweet onion and some salt. That’s it.
Are you kidding me? What is this? Butter? Onion? Tomatoes? From Marcella?
I had to try it.
Well, all the reviews I read were correct.
Silky? Check. Rich? Check. Deep flavor? Check.
To us, it tasted like a magnificent vodka sauce. Minus the cream. Minus the vodka. Words like luscious, exquisite, vibrant and elegant came to mind with our first forkful.
It’s a sauce that’s as simple to prepare as it is delicious. Once everything is combined in a medium saucepan, it’s just a matter of watching, stirring, mashing then removing (the onion) before serving. Fettuccine cooked to a perfect al dente was our platform. Of course if you want to add fresh basil, crushed red pepper or grated cheese – that is your prerogative. However, I recommend you try it as designed by Marcella.
It is divine.
Don’t take my word for it, guys. This is a sauce worth making and keeping in your repertoire.
There’s nothing like the homey aroma of tomatoes cooking down at the end of a long work day or upon the return from a day of errands…
You are less than an hour away from one of the finest sauces you’ll ever taste.
And this is coming from a lady who has eaten a lot of sauce!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 cups canned imported Italian tomatoes (whole with their juices)
- 5 Tbsp. butter
- 1 medium sweet onion, peeled and cut in half
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the tomatoes and juices, butter, onion and a pinch or two of salt.
- Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- Cook, uncovered, at a steady simmer for 45 minutes.
- Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon.
- Remove onion before serving.
Ciao!
I’m all about an easy tomato sauce. Add some butter to that? Absolutely! I’m making spaghetti with grilled Italian sausage for tomorrow (Sunday) night’s dinner and going to use this recipe for the sauce. Yay, I love trying new recipes 🙂
Yum! This will be a perfect sauce! You may want to double it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
This sauce looks amazing.. and only 4 ingredients.. superb!! Can’t wait to try!! 🙂
Thanks, Arpita! It’s sooo good!
I love that this recipe has only 4 ingredients, I really can’t wait to try! Thanks for sharing Annie!
There is every good reason to try it! But the only one that really matters is it’s delicious! Thanks, Manali!
Annie I saw this on facebook and since then I have been wanting to eat this!! Need to make this this weekend 🙂
It is a fabulous recipe!! Enjoy, my friend!
Hi there! I can absolutely feel your enthusiasm- this is the only way I make tomato sauce! Butter is the way to go 🙂 Beautiful photos!
Thank you so much, friend! I can’t believe it’s taken me this many years to realize butter is delicious in tomato sauce! 🙂
The sauce looks absolutely beautiful and delicious, I have never added butter to a tomato based pasta sauce but I can imagine it makes the sauce so much more creamy! And your pasta noodles look beautiful in the photos, perfectly cooked!
There is nothing not to love about this dish! Thanks, Katy!
I love a good tomato sauce and I love how you just need a few ingredients to make it! I’ll happily take any leftovers 😉
I will happily make you a new pot…no leftovers in sight! 🙂 Thanks, Danielle!!
Silky is exactly the word for this tomato sauce! I was a bit skeptical the first time I made it too, but the simple ingredients really transform into something way more than just the sum of their parts!
They sure do! We were very surprised by its rich delicious flavor, too! 🙂
To be honest, I would be doubtful too! Tomato sauce with no herbs, garlic, and seasoning?! Sounds almost ridiculous! But the result looks impeccably delicious. But I still think I’ve got to try this on to approve. I’ve grabbed my fork, and I’m ready haha:) Nice job, Annie!
Hahhaha! Exactly! But it’s made a believer out of me! Try it, Ben…and tell me what you think! Thanks, friend!
Quick, easy and delicious … you can’t beat that!
There’s no better trio! Thanks, Tammy!
Wow! This is sensational, Annie! This sauce is just so vibrant and full of awesome flavors! YUM!
The color is gorgeous and flavor even more gorgeous! Thanks, friend!
Wow! This looks absolutely perfect, Annie! And only ingredients? I can’t wait to try this! It sounds amazing!
Yes! Please try it!!! Let me know what you think! Thanks, Kelly!
Mmmmm the butter… I can see how this would be so creamy, rich and luscious, Annie! I always love mushrooms, parm and a bit of red pepper in my sauce, but with this kind of richness, I’ll take your word for it. Ohhhh the comfort food. I’ve been missing pasta! Thank you Annie!! Gorgeous work!
Thanks, dear! We can’t go too long without a little comfort at the dinner table! It’s in our genes! 🙂
Can you go to my house right now and get this sauce simmering so I can smell it when I walk in the door? Seriously, this is so briliant in its simplicity and elegance! Well done, my friend. The key is under the mat. 🙂
I’ll be right over! Nothin’ like the smell of sauce…am I right?! Thanks, dearest!
This looks SO perfect!!
Why thank you, Sues!! 🙂
I so want to make this, Annie. This is one of the recipes that I keep seeing and hearing about – how great it is – but your photos have totally inspired me. Will be making this this weekend!
That is happiness! I am thrilled that my photos could inspire you to make Marcella’s incredible sauce! Thank you so much my dear! Buon Appetito!
Seriously?! 3 ingredient sauce that tastes like a Vodka Sauce? SOLD! Not to mention the vibrant color – it looks like you labored over chopping fresh tomatoes all day! I’m telling you, there’s nothing better than a fantastic tomatoe sauce to have in your repertoire, thanks for sharing yours 🙂
Yesyesyes! I hope you try it and tell me if you agree with our assessment of its flavor-twin. Thanks, friend!
I’ve heard about this over and over, and I’ve gotta give it a try! Looks awesome 🙂
Yep, my curiosity got the best of me, too… Try it – you’ll be glad you did! 🙂
I’m always on the hunt for fresh tomato sauces, so this looks just perfect! I can’t believe how easy this is to make, either. Sounds delicious, Annie!
It’s pretty shocking that something so delicious can be so easy… Thanks, Gayle!
I can tell how yummy this sauce is by just looking at the photos! SO easy, I want to try it right now!
So easy, Mira! You’ll appreciate its simplicity and rich flavor! Thanks, friend!