About this recipe
If your weeknight dinner needs a little rescue, this sauce may be the answer. Cookbook author Jessie-Sierra Ross shows how to make a quick and delicious pomodoro sauce that’s rich, flavorful and easy to pair with pasta, protein or vegetables.
“There’s only a handful of ingredients on this countertop, and with this handful, we can save dinner,” Ross said. “This is something I always have the ingredients for in my pantry, so I can feed my hungry kids and myself and not sweat it.”
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Ross is a self-proclaimed “garlic girl,” but if you aren’t a big fan of the aromatic, she recommends just using two cloves. If you love garlic, Ross says five cloves work well. The whiskey in the recipe adds flavor to the sauce, and the alcohol will cook off, making the sauce suitable for children.
Use pasta water, which is rich in starch, to thin out the pomodoro sauce to create the perfect consistency while maintaining its rich mouthfeel. Serve your housemade sauce with your favorite pasta, such as pappardelle, fettuccine or orecchiette.
“This sauce is so fantastic because it will cling to any pasta you use, and it’s super versatile,” Ross said. “You can add grilled chicken, grilled sausage, veggies.”
Ingredients
Yields: 4 servings
Pomodoro Sauce with Calabrian Chilis
Directions
Pomodoro Sauce with Calabrian Chilis
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Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until foamy, then add the garlic and shallot.
TIP:
Use fewer garlic cloves for a milder flavor or more if you love garlic. -
Cook for about 3 minutes until the raw aromas disappear and the aromatics have softened.
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Add the cognac or whiskey and cook until the alcohol has evaporated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
TIP:
The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind flavor.
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Stir in the tomato puree and olive oil until well combined.
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Add the sugar and Calabrian chilis, then season with salt and pepper.
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Sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
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Stir in the torn basil.
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Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
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Toss with freshly cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the consistency.
TIP:
Pasta water adds starch that helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
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Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
TIP:
Pairs well with grilled chicken, sausage or vegetables.
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