Pasta Sauce

This vibrant pasta sauce transforms simple canned tomatoes into a complex, smoky delight. By infusing the base with finely chopped garlic and whole chipotle peppers, you get a rich depth of flavor that balances bright acidity with a gentle, lingering heat. The olive oil helps meld the ingredients together, creating a silky texture that clings beautifully to pasta. It is an incredibly quick weeknight solution, requiring minimal chopping and only half an hour of simmering time. While traditionally served over spaghetti or penne, this versatile sauce also works wonderfully as a topping for grilled vegetables or mixed into grain bowls. The smoky undertone from the chipotles adds a sophisticated twist to a classic Italian staple, making it feel special yet entirely approachable for home cooks of any skill level.

Cooking Method: Stewing

Cuisine: Italian

Courses: Sauces & Condiments

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4

Calories: 121.5

Dietary: Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Description

This vibrant pasta sauce transforms simple canned tomatoes into a complex, smoky delight. By infusing the base with finely chopped garlic and whole chipotle peppers, you get a rich depth of flavor that balances bright acidity with a gentle, lingering heat. The olive oil helps meld the ingredients together, creating a silky texture that clings beautifully to pasta. It is an incredibly quick weeknight solution, requiring minimal chopping and only half an hour of simmering time. While traditionally served over spaghetti or penne, this versatile sauce also works wonderfully as a topping for grilled vegetables or mixed into grain bowls. The smoky undertone from the chipotles adds a sophisticated twist to a classic Italian staple, making it feel special yet entirely approachable for home cooks of any skill level.

Ingredients

1 can Tomatoes -- 14 oz
2 large Cloves garlic, peeled -- finely chopped
3 whole Chipotles
2 tablespoons Olive oil
Salt to taste

Directions

1
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2
Add the finely chopped garlic and saut&# 195;Â© for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3
Add the canned tomatoes and whole chipotle peppers to the pan.
4
Bring the mixture to a simmer while mashing the tomatoes and chipotles with a wooden spoon.
5
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
6
If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and boil for an additional 5-10 minutes to reduce.
7
Taste and add salt carefully, remembering that the sauce will be served with other salty dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 121.5kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7.8g12%
Saturated Fat 1.1g6%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 9.2mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 12.2g5%
Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
Sugars 2.9g
Protein 2.5g5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the chipotle peppers before adding them.

You can substitute 1lb of fresh ripe plum tomatoes, skinned and chopped, for the canned tomatoes.

If using this sauce for thin pastas like spaghetti, add a medium onion (skinned and halved) at the beginning, remove it before serving, and stir in chopped fresh basil 5 minutes before serving.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

The goal is a predominately tomato taste with an undercurrent of smoky heat, not an overwhelmingly hot sauce.

Keywords: pasta, sauce, tomato, chipotle, smoky, spicy, vegan, garlic, italian, quick, weeknight, dinner, olive oil, simmer, easy

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/pasta-sauce-3/