When it comes to choosing a sauce to accompany pasta, the possibilities are endless. Supermarket shelves are lined with an array of flavours and brands, but store-bought sauces can be expensive and packed with unhealthy additives. That’s why sometimes it’s best to turn to homemade sauces, like the one hailed as the ‘best’ in the world, which requires just three affordable ingredients.
This foolproof recipe was created by renowned chef Marcella Hazan, who was born in Italy and later opened a cooking school in New York. Although she died in 2013, her legacy lives on through her book “Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking,” which features her beloved sauce recipe consisting of tinned tomatoes, butter, and an onion.
What makes this recipe even more appealing is its simplicity. No chopping is required, making it the perfect choice for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will adore.
To create this sauce, simply place half a peeled onion in a pot with butter and tinned tomatoes, then let it simmer for 45 minutes. The result is a deliciously flavourful sauce that will elevate any pasta dish.
Food publication Delish describes Marcella Hazan’s creation as “the best in the world.” Her husband Victor spoke of her efficient methods, saying: “Marcella was a genius when it came to taste. She had an immediate understanding about how flavour affects a dish. She asked herself, ‘Why chop an onion? Why sauté? I’m going to put the onion, tomato, and butter together and forget about it’.”
While taste remains subjective, it’s widely known that Italians value simplicity in their cooking, with the quality of ingredients being paramount, especially when it comes to tomatoes. Marcella wrote in her book, “No other preparation is more successful in delivering the prodigious satisfactions of Italian cooking than a competently executed sauce with tomatoes.”
While the original recipe calls for just three ingredients, variations have emerged over time. Jamie Oliver adds four garlic cloves and fresh basil to his version. BBC Good Food suggests starting with a classic mirepoix base of diced onions, celery, and carrots. Many top chefs incorporate various herbs, oils, and additional ingredients to elevate their dishes.
Food writer Felicity Cloake suggests using olive oil in the tomato sauce along with a pinch of sugar and red wine vinegar. The key is to experiment and find what suits your taste. As long as you use quality tinned tomatoes, you’re sure to impress any dinner guests with this delicious sauce.
This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Express.co.uk ’s editorial research. A news editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected].
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