Basic Tomato Sauce

 Chef Hugh Acheson uses a little grated carrot to offset the acidity in his fragrant tomato sauce, which also has plenty of fresh oregano. Slideshow: More Tomato Sauce Recipes 

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Recipe Summary

Total:

1 hr

Active:

15 mins

Yield:

3 cups

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small white onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• One 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes in juice, coarsely pureed
• Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons fresh oregano, finely chopped

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over moderate heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the carrot, then add the tomatoes and season with salt. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, about 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and oregano.

Make Ahead

The tomato sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.