This is my go to comfort meal when tomatoes are in season. Frequently I will pick up bruised tomatoes on the cheap from the farmers at the market. I keep trying to make extra to store in the freezer for a winter day, but it never seems to make it that far.

Oh, it’s also as quick as it is comforting. Need to put a meal on the table in about 30 minutes. Give this a try.

Serves 4-6
Time: aprox ½ hour (or more if you let it simmer)

Ready

• 1 lb pasta (choose your favorite)
• 2-4 lbs plump tomatoes, cored and cubed
• ½ onion, chopped small
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• Olive oil
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt
• Pepper

Set

• Dutch oven or large pot for sauce
• Large pot for pasta
• Trenched cutting board
• Large bowl
• Wood spoon
• Colander

Go

1. Set a large pot of water to boil.
2. Core and dice the tomatoes on a trenched cutting board. Save the cut tomatoes and the juice in a large bowl.
3. Coat the bottom of the Dutch oven or large pot with olive oil and saute the chopped onion over a medium low heat until they have turned soft and translucent. (about 10 minutes)
4. Add the minced garlic.
5. Add the tomatoes, a few additional touches of olive oil and simmer for 15-30 minutes.
6. When water begins to boil add two pinches of salt to pot.
7. Add pasta to boiling water. Cook until pasta reaches desired tenderness. I prefer al dente which just a little teensy bit crunchy.
8. Strain pasta into colander.
9. Salt & pepper sauce to taste while pasta dries.
10. Add pasta to serving bowl and pour sauce on top. Let sit for at least five minutes to allow pasta to absorb the flavor of the sauce.
11. Add parmesan and basil before serving.

What you should know

Make extra sauce and store it in the freezer for one of those nights where you need a meal in a hurry.

Some people like to thicken the sauce with a few tablespoons of tomato paste. Feel free to do so. I like my sauce wet and have been known to grab some French bread to dip in my Italian sauce once the pasta has been consumed. (Italian bread is good too)