Perfect Pomodoro!!

There is nothing like a simple tomato sauce and pasta. The smooth texture and unassuming flavor of a perfect Pomodoro are hard to beat. Perhaps it is my Italian bias, but the first time I tried a Pomodoro sauce in Italy my first thought was, "This is Amazing!" My second thought was, "How can I recreate this?"  

So, after a little trial and error, I give you this simple yet satisfying sauce.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1 28 oz. can peeled tomatoes, puréed in a food processor with emulsion blender

Kosher salt and Black Pepper (to taste)

3 large fresh basil sprigs

1lb Spaghetti

1 tsp. Sugar

1/2 Cup Grated Pecorino Romano, my favorite! (or Parmesan)

Process:

Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely minced onion and cook, stirring, until soft 10-12minutes.

Add garlic and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Add crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more.

Increase heat to medium, add puréed tomatoes and season lightly with kosher salt; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.  

Cook Spaghetti al dente (approx. 8-9 minutes). Drain, saving 1 cup of pasta water. Don't rinse pasta.

Add pasta water 1/4 Cup at a time, only as needed to loosen sauce.

Toss with pasta and fresh chopped basil, finish with grated cheese and Bon Appetite!