marcella hazan's (super simple) tomato sauce

A tomato sauce with four ingredients.  You probably have all four in your house too.  I am not quite sure why I haven't tried this before, because I've read about this recipe several times this year on various blogs. Perhaps I thought it was too good to be true.  Impossibly easy and full of butter!  (As an aside, The 9-Year Old Bossy Literal Son was complaining to me that I should post only recipes with butter included in them, so I think he'll be happy with this one.)

For a basically no-prep tomato sauce, this is my go-to recipe now.  It does take 45 minutes to simmer, but that gives you oodles of time to tackle something on the never-ending to-do list.

Marcella Hazan's Tomato Sauce

Printable Recipe

1 28-ounce can of plum tomatoes (preferably San Marzano- you can read about them here.)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and cut in half
salt, to taste

Combine the tomatoes, their juices, butter and onion halves in a medium saucepan.

Add a pinch or two of salt.  Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.  Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, at a very slow but steady simmer, adjusting the heat as necessary, for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of fat float free from the tomatoes.  Mash any large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon.  Taste and salt as needed.

Discard the onion.  Serve with spaghetti or your favorite pasta.