Marcella Hazan's Three-Ingredient Tomato Sauce with Pasta
Marcella Hazan's Three-Ingredient Tomato Sauce with Pasta
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes, large (28 ounce)
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 yellow onions, medium, peeled and halved
For the Pasta and Serving
- 1 pound tagliatelle pasta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the two large cans of whole peeled tomatoes, 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, and the two halved medium yellow onions.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Allow the sauce to cook uncovered for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The onions will soften and infuse the sauce with their flavor.
⏱️ 75 min
- 4
Once the sauce has cooked, use tongs to carefully remove the softened onion halves from the pot. You can discard them or save them for another use.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the tomatoes to your desired consistency. Traditionally, the sauce is left chunky.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
While the sauce is finishing, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tagliatelle pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212
- 7
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking liquid. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Transfer the cooked tagliatelle directly into the pot with the tomato sauce. Add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and kosher salt to taste. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Add a small amount (starting with 1/4 cup) of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to the sauce and pasta mixture. Stir vigorously; the starch in the water will help emulsify the sauce, creating a richer coating for the pasta. Add more liquid if needed to achieve desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Plate the pasta, topping with additional sauce and a final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Marcella Hazan's Three-Ingredient Tomato Sauce with Pasta
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes, large (28 ounce)
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 yellow onions, medium, peeled and halved
For the Pasta and Serving
- 1 pound tagliatelle pasta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the two large cans of whole peeled tomatoes, 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, and the two halved medium yellow onions.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Allow the sauce to cook uncovered for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The onions will soften and infuse the sauce with their flavor.
⏱️ 75 min - 4
Once the sauce has cooked, use tongs to carefully remove the softened onion halves from the pot. You can discard them or save them for another use.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the tomatoes to your desired consistency. Traditionally, the sauce is left chunky.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
While the sauce is finishing, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tagliatelle pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 212 - 7
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking liquid. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Transfer the cooked tagliatelle directly into the pot with the tomato sauce. Add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and kosher salt to taste. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Add a small amount (starting with 1/4 cup) of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to the sauce and pasta mixture. Stir vigorously; the starch in the water will help emulsify the sauce, creating a richer coating for the pasta. Add more liquid if needed to achieve desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Plate the pasta, topping with additional sauce and a final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
⏱️ 1 min