Italian Red Sauce

Instructions

1. Start by preparing the tomatoes. Pour the contents of the tomato cans into a large bowl. Using your hands, crush the tomatoes to break them down into smaller pieces. Be careful to avoid splattering.

2. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

3. Add the minced garlic to the saucepan and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Be mindful not to let the garlic brown, as it can turn bitter.

4. Pour the crushed tomatoes into the saucepan, along with their juices. Stir well to combine with the onion and garlic mixture.

5. Season the sauce with dried oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

6. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a tablespoon of sugar at this stage. The sugar will help balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.

7. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with a lid, leaving a slight opening to allow steam to escape. Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes according to your preference.

9. For a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce directly in the pot. Alternatively, transfer the sauce to a regular blender in batches to achieve a smoother texture.

10. Your Italian Red Sauce is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it over your favorite pasta, use it as a dipping sauce, or incorporate it into your favorite Italian recipes.