Simple Tomato Butter Pasta Sauce takes a little bit of time but minimal effort. Three basic pantry ingredients – tinned tomatoes, butter and an onion, make the most delicious and silky sauce that is perfect for pasta.
Simple Tomato Sauce
After you taste this tomato butter pasta sauce, you will never be able to believe its humble origin. This recipe, made famous by Marcella Hazan, is made up from pantry staples. Just three ingredients – tinned plum tomatoes, butter and an onion sliced in half (okay, four ingredients if you include salt).
Tomato Butter Sauce
Butter is the magic ingredient in this tomato sauce – it cuts through the acidity of the tomatoes to create a rich, velvety sauce so good you won’t be able to stop licking the spoon. You can substitute the butter with some very good quality olive oil if you want to make this dairy free.
Tomato Pasta Serving Suggestions
This sauce is made for pasta – toss freshly cooked bucatini and a little dash of pasta water in this simple tomato sauce for the most simple but delicious meal. Shavings of parmesan or a dollop of burrata are heavily encouraged toppings.
I also love this sauce with classic spaghetti and meatballs or as a Sugo alternative for homemade pizzas. You can use this simple tomato sauce in the same way you would use any jarred tomato pasta sauce or passata.
Tomato butter sauce also makes an excellent dip for arancini or mozzarella sticks. You can jazz it up a little with some fresh herbs, though it really doesn’t need it.
My top tip when serving tomato butter pasta is to add a generous spoonful of grated parmesan directly into the sauce before tossing in the pasta.
Ingredients
- Peeled Plum Tomatoes – get the best quality you can afford, since they are the star of the show. I like Mutti. You can use chopped tomatoes, but they are typically more watery.
- Butter – again, use the best quality you can afford. I typically use salted butter for this recipe, as the salt really makes the flavour sing.
- Onion – a basic white or brown onion, peeled and sliced in half. You can also use a few whole peeled shallots.
- Salt – a dash to taste.
This Simple Tomato Pasta Sauce will keep in the fridge for 2 days. You can also freeze it – I like to make a big batch and freeze single portions for quick and easy meals.
I hope you like this recipe as much as I do!
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @carrieskitchen_ if you make it!
More easy and delicious pasta recipes:
- Easy Pasta Alfredo
- Prosecco Pasta
- Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
- Pistachio Pesto Pasta
- Courgette Pasta (Spaghetti alla Nerano)
Recipe adapted from The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan
Tomato Butter Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- Heavy Bottom Casserole Dish or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 800 grams peeled plum tomatoes - 2 regular 400g tins
- 75 grams salted butter
- 1 white onion - peeled and sliced in half
- salt - to taste
To Serve
- 400 grams pasta of your choice - cooked to packet instructions
- grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the onion, tomatoes and butter into a heavy bottomed pan (I use a 20cm/2.4l cast iron casserole).
- On a medium heat, bring the pot to a simmer – you don't want to let it fully boil.
- Turn the heat to the lowest setting and simmer for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally and lightly crushing the whole tomatoes as you stir.
- Remove the onion and add salt to taste.
- Toss with freshly cooked pasta and serve sprinkled with parmesan.
Notes
Nutrition
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