Making a creamy tomato sauce is simple and adds a rich, luscious texture to pasta dishes, chicken, or even as a base for other recipes. Here’s a straightforward recipe for a creamy tomato sauce:
Creamy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Sauté the Aromatics:
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the Tomatoes and Seasoning:
- Stir in the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the Sauce:
- Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- If you find the sauce too acidic, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to balance it out.
- Add the Cream:
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, until the cream is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Optional: Add Cheese:
- If you want a richer sauce, stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. This adds extra depth and creaminess.
- Season to Taste:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve:
- Serve the creamy tomato sauce over your favorite pasta, with chicken, or as a dipping sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips:
- Tomatoes: You can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned. Blanch, peel, and puree about 4-5 ripe tomatoes to replace the canned tomatoes.
- Texture: For a smoother sauce, you can blend the sauce with an immersion blender before adding the cream.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to add cooked sausage, mushrooms, or spinach to the sauce for additional flavor and texture.
This creamy tomato sauce is versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes or the dish you’re preparing. Enjoy!