Tomato Basil Cream Sauce
This sauce…. this sauce was such a good find, I can almost smell the fresh basil as I write this. If I’m in the pasta mood, chances are I mostly just want this sauce again. A lovely blend of tomato and cream, this sauce is smooth, flavorful, hearty and rich.
You can eat this with any pasta of your choosing - they will all taste good. My preferred ways we have served this have been:
With our favorite meatball recipe (coming soon!) or some simple baked chicken over pasta
Or with the same meatballs or chicken on a garlic bread sandwich with some mozzarella (parmesan sandwich style).
But you can use this sauce pretty much in any dish where you would use a store-bought jar instead. I’m still wanting to try it out in lasagna and a few other dishes.
This sauce also freezes remarkably well - so feel free to freeze half if you don’t want it all or make double in anticipation of freezing. It should keep well in the freezer for a few months. To defrost - just move it to the fridge a day or so before you are going to use it and then reheat per usual.
A few notes on the ingredients:
Bell peppers are a matter of preference - I tend to go for the sweeter ones (Red or Orange) but you can make this with whatever is your favorite.
Fresh basil does make a difference - depending on the dish/herb sometimes it’s certainly easier to just use a few shakes of the dried stuff, but in this one it really makes a noticeable improvement if you use fresh.
Pasta water will help thicken the sauce and add a bit of flavor. It also makes the sauce to stick to the pasta a bit better - if you’re not making this with pasta don’t worry it is not essential.
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp (or 4 cloves) minced garlic
1 med yellow or sweet onion
1 bell pepper (any color)
30 oz Tomato Sauce
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp italian seasoning
¼ cup fresh basil - chopped
½ cup shredded parmesan
1 cup heavy cream
(½ cup pasta water)
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Servings: 7
Instructions
Dice onion and pepper into small pieces (¼ inch)
Heat butter and oil in a pan on med-low heat
Add onion, pepper, garlic and cook for a minute or two
Add tomato sauce, then stir in sugar, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning
Cook on low for 25-30 min, stirring occasionally
Add in parmesan and cream
If you are making this alongside pasta - add in ½ cup of pasta water (it is okay with or without).
Chop basil leaves into small pieces (based on your preference) and stir into the sauce
Serve with your favorite pasta, protein, or on a sandwich
