That is one of the best tomato sauce, in my humble opinion! Impressed by Marcella Hazan’s iconic recipe, this lighter model makes use of high-quality canned tomatoes, only a contact of butter, and a halved onion to create a wealthy, silky pasta sauce with solely three components (plus salt).

Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter
There’s a cause Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce went viral lengthy earlier than viral recipes have been even a factor. With simply tomatoes, an onion, and butter, it transforms right into a velvety, wealthy sauce that adheres completely to pasta. No garlic, no olive oil, no sugar—simply three components (plus salt) that one way or the other turn into magic. I find it irresistible, however I often make a barely lighter model with high-quality canned tomatoes and fewer butter. It nonetheless has that candy, buttery depth, but it surely’s a bit of lighter—and prepared in much less time.
Elements You’ll Want
Listed here are the components you’ll must make this simple Marcella Hazan tomato sauce. See the recipe card beneath for the precise measurements.
- Butter: Simply two tablespoons of butter create a wealthy, scrumptious sauce. I used salted butter, however in the event you use unsalted, you may want so as to add a bit of extra salt.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Utilizing high-quality canned tomatoes is crucial. I desire Tuttorosso (inexperienced label) or San Marzano entire tomatoes, which I crush by hand.
- Onion: Peel it and reduce it in half. No dicing wanted!
- Salt brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Easy methods to Make Tomato Sauce
This tomato sauce with onion and butter is hands-off and easy. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.


- Put every thing in a pot, deliver it to a boil, then simmer it over medium-low till the onions are delicate.
- Easy methods to Serve: Take away the onions, style, and add extra salt if wanted. Then, toss the sauce along with your most popular pasta.


Yield: servings
Serving Dimension: 1 /2 cup
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In a medium pot, mix the crushed tomatoes, butter and the onion, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt over medium warmth.
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Deliver to a boil, then simmer over medium-low warmth, coated till the onions are delicate, about 30 to 40 minutes.
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Discard the onion (or puree it with tomatoes and add again to the sauce) earlier than tossing the sauce with pasta. This recipe makes sufficient sauce for 1 pound of pasta.
Final Step:
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- To freeze: Let the tomato sauce cool fully at room temperature. Switch it to hermetic containers, glass jars (depart area on the high for growth), or freezer-safe zip-top baggage laid flat for straightforward stacking. Label with the date and freeze for as much as 3 months.
- To thaw and reheat: In a single day within the fridge: Place frozen sauce within the fridge the night time earlier than you intend to make use of it. Fast methodology: Submerge the sealed bag in a bowl of cool water to hurry up defrosting.
- To reheat: Heat gently on the stovetop over medium-low warmth, stirring often, till heated by means of.
Serving: 1 /2 cup, Energy: 74 kcal, Carbohydrates: 10.5 g, Protein: 2.5 g, Fats: 4 g, Saturated Fats: 2.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 10 mg, Sodium: 330 mg, Fiber: 2.5 g, Sugar: 5 g
Ideas & Variations
- Dairy-free choice: Swap butter with dairy-free butter for a vegan-friendly sauce.
- Add spice: A pinch of purple pepper flakes turns it right into a spicy arrabbiata- model sauce.
- Improve the flavour: The simplicity of the sauce doesn’t require any further components, however you possibly can add minced garlic in the beginning or stir in recent basil earlier than serving, in the event you need.
- Make forward: Refrigerate for as much as 5 days or freeze for 3 months.
FAQ
Completely—simply peel and chop about 2 kilos of ripe plum tomatoes. The unique 1973 recipe makes use of recent tomatoes, however canned San Marzanos or Tuttorosso Inexperienced Label work fantastically year-round.
Crushed tomatoes or hand-crushed entire peeled tomatoes give one of the best texture. Search for high-quality manufacturers like San Marzano or Tuttorosso.
You may! However I typically puree it into the sauce for further physique and sweetness—your name.

Extra Pasta Sauce Recipes You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts utilizing tomatoes, take a look at these 5 scrumptious pasta sauce recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!