Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion

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!

Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

• Author: Ciao Chow Bambina
• Category: Dinner

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Ingredients

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• 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

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Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the tomatoes and juices, butter, onion and a pinch or two of salt.
2. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
3. Cook, uncovered, at a steady simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon.
5. Remove onion before serving.

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Ciao!