Best 4 Basic Red Sauce Recipes

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**Red Sauce: A Versatile Culinary Masterpiece**

Red sauce, a staple in Italian cuisine and beyond, is a versatile and flavorful condiment that adds depth and richness to a wide range of dishes. From hearty pasta dishes to vibrant pizzas and succulent meat preparations, red sauce brings an explosion of taste and color to any culinary creation. This comprehensive guide presents a collection of delectable red sauce recipes, each offering unique variations and culinary techniques. Dive into the world of red sauces and discover the endless possibilities they hold in transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BASIC RED SAUCE



Basic Red Sauce image

Tomato paste, red onion, and fresh basil add a hint of sweetness to this quick-cooking marinara. Pile our meatballs on spaghetti and you have a familiar favorite.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Yield Makes 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) peeled plum tomatoes with juice, pureed
12 basil leaves, torn
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of crushed red-pepper flakes (optional)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
  • Add pureed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red-pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Season with pepper, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick, 25 to 30 minutes.

BASIC RED SAUCE (SALSA DE CHILE ROJO)



Basic Red Sauce (Salsa De Chile Rojo) image

When you go out for Mexican food at your favorite little place, and your food's covered with that delicious red sauce, and you wish you could make it at home? Now you can! This is so simple to make! I found this recipe in one of my gazillion cookbooks. I decided to give it a try. I'd been using the same red sauce for years, and loved it, so I'm not sure why I even tried this one. But am I glad I did!!! lol This recipe is mild, so should you want yours more spicy, then you'll want to use the hotter dried chiles. Either way, I'm sure you will love it. Don't be afraid of the dried chiles if this is your first attempt. It really is simple to do, and the end result will be so worth it. Where I buy my dried chiles, actually it's Albertson's, there's a rack in the specialty aisle, and there are cellophane bags hanging up. Usually, the bags have the type of chile and how spicy hot it is. So, that should help you out some. If you can't find any, zmail me and I'll help you. This freezes well.

Provided by FLUFFSTER

Categories     Sauces

Time 1h45m

Yield 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ancho chilies, dried
3 1/2 cups warm water
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano (regular will do)
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Soak chiles in warm water until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain; strain and reserve liquid. Remove stems and seeds and membranes from the chiles. Cook and stir onion and garlic in oil in a 2-qt. saucepan until onion is tender. Add chiles and 2 cups of the reserved liquid , the tomato sauce, oregano, cumin and salt. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Cool.
  • Transfer to blender container; cover and blend on low speed until smooth. Strain. Refrigerate sauce no longer than 10 days.
  • Note: I strain mine in a mesh strainer or colander. It takes a few minutes, but keep thinking of how great this is going to taste!

TONY CHACHERE'S BASIC RED SAUCE



Tony Chachere's Basic Red Sauce image

Make and share this Tony Chachere's Basic Red Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by bridgettels

Categories     Sauces

Time 2h20m

Yield 4 cups, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup margarine
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
tony chachere's original creole seasoning
1 quart water

Steps:

  • 1. Melt margarine in heavy saucepan. Add tomato sauce and sugar and cook 5 minutes. Add all other ingredients plus water. Also add 2 cups of Tony Chachere's Basic Vegetable Mixture. Simmer for 2 hours over low heat until thick. Add more water if needed and season to taste.
  • 2. For Italian dishes, add herbs and cheese.
  • 3. For fish dishes, add mushrooms, shrimp, or crab meat.

BASIC RED SAUCE: SMALL BATCH



BASIC RED SAUCE: SMALL BATCH image

Categories     Pasta

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (12 oz) can tomato paste
2 cups hot water
2 tbsp dried parsley
2 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp minced garlic (~9 cloves)
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
several 1-quart freezer bags (number will vary)

Steps:

  • 1. Mix tomato paste and hot water in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in parsley, onion, garlic, sugar, salt, basil, oregano, and thyme. 2. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes; mix well. Do not cook. 3. Measure sauce into appropriate portions for immediate use. Divide remaining sauce evenly among 1-quart freezer bags for later use. 4. Seal and label each bag with the amount of sauce inside. Freeze. 5. To enjoy: Completely thaw one bag in the refrigerator. 6. Use in a recipe calling for tomato sauce, or simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 20 minutes and pour over your favorite pasta. 7. To use in a meat sauce, brown and drain 1 pound lean ground beef for every 8 cups of sauce; add cooked beef to sauce and gently reheat.

Tips:

  • Use ripe, in-season tomatoes: This will give your sauce the best flavor. If you can't find ripe tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes instead.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're cooking the tomatoes, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: This will help to develop the flavor of the sauce.
  • Season the sauce to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta: Red sauce is a classic pasta sauce, but it can also be used on pizza, chicken, or fish.

Conclusion:

Making a basic red sauce is a simple and rewarding process. With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can create a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this basic red sauce a try. You won't be disappointed!

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