3 Ingredient Pasta Sauce Recipe

I absolutely love this tomato sauce recipe because it’s incredibly simple yet delivers a rich and velvety flavor with just three main ingredients. Plus, there’s something so comforting and nostalgic about the aroma of simmering tomatoes and butter in the kitchen that makes me feel right at home.

I love a straightforward, yet decadent pasta sauce, and my 3 Ingredient Pasta Sauce is both scrumptious and a cinch to prepare. Using 28 ounces of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes, 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, and 1 medium yellow onion, this sauce is stunningly well-balanced and brimming with natural flavors.

Ingredients

Tomatoes that have been completely peeled and are whole: They are abundant in vitamins A and C, and they bolster the immune system.

Butter without added salt: Contributes a creamy texture, and a perfect amount of richness that balances the flavors.

Onion (Yellow): Infuses sauce with subtle sweetness, enhances flavor depth.

Ingredient Quantities

• 28 ounces of whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
• 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved

Instructions

1. Empty the 28 ounces of whole peeled tomatoes, along with the juices, into a medium saucepan.

2. Add the unsalted butter (5 tablespoons) to the saucepan with the tomatoes.

3. Insert the medium yellow onion, halved, into the saucepan, with the cut sides toward the base.

4. Heat the mix to a simmer over medium heat.

5. After reaching a simmer, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.

6. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon while stirring occasionally.

7. Let the sauce cook, without a lid, for roughly 45 minutes, giving it a good stir every so often.

8. Once the cooking duration is complete, extract the onion halves from the sauce.

9. Add salt to the sauce until it tastes right.

10. Pour the sauce over the pasta, which you have cooked only moments before, and enjoy.

Equipment Needed

1. Medium saucepan
2. Cutting board
3. Knife
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring spoons
6. Stove or cooktop

FAQ

• What kind of tomatoes should I use?Whole peeled tomatoes are the best choice, and it’s hard to argue against San Marzano for their sweetness and low acidity.
• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?Salted butter can be used, but you might want to adjust or omit extra salt to taste.
• Is it necessary to halve the onion?Certainly, by cutting the onion in half, it flavors the sauce but does not take over and become the dominant flavor in the sauce. It allows the sauce to be infused with onion flavor and not just any kind of overpowering,
  ‘I am an onion and I am in the sauce’ kind of flavor.
• Can I use a different type of onion?A medium yellow onion is ideal, but you can substitute with white or sweet onion if needed.
• How long should I simmer the sauce?Allow the flavors to meld together beautifully for about 45 minutes by simmering the sauce.
• Should I blend the sauce for a smoother texture?It can be served chunky, or you can use a blender to achieve a smooth consistency; serving that way is optional.
• Can I add herbs or spices?Though this recipe calls for just three ingredients, it is possible to add a few more if you want additional flavors. Consider these options:

  Basil: Sweetness with herbal and slightly peppery accents, fresh or dried.

  Oregano: Warm and slightly bitter, fresh or dried.

  Red pepper flakes: Spicy and slightly smoky heat.

Substitutions and Variations

Whole Peeled Tomatoes:
Use crushed or diced tomatoes instead of tomato paste if you want a different texture.
Unsalted Butter:
Substitute with olive oil for a dairy-free choice; or if you want a butter alternative, use margarine.
Yellow Onion:
For a somewhat less intense flavor, use white onions, which are milder than brown onions. For something even sweeter, use shallots.

Pro Tips

1. Enhance the Flavor After removing the onion halves, try blending the sauce with an immersion blender for a smoother texture. This can help incorporate the flavors more evenly throughout the sauce.

2. Fresh Herbs Finish Consider adding a few fresh basil leaves or a sprig of fresh oregano to the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for an aromatic finish.

3. Tomato Quality If available, use high-quality San Marzano tomatoes, as they tend to have a richer flavor and smoother texture, which can significantly enhance the sauce’s overall taste.

4. Butter Enrichment If you want a creamier texture, swirl in an extra tablespoon of unsalted butter at the end of cooking just before serving to add richness and shine to the sauce.

5. Acidity Balance If the sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance out the flavors. This can help mellow the acidity of the tomatoes without overpowering their natural sweetness.