Tomato sauce, in its simplicity is a tangy seasoned palette pleaser, add in other ingredients like spinach, onions, herbs, red wine, vodka, meat or a soy meat substitute and that enhances not only the flavour but the depth of something so fluid, so generously spoonable over any pasta... simply delectable and savoury. You can omit the meat, if you wish, it will still be a wonderful sauce for pasta and to dip pieces of a crusty Italian bread into or use it as a base for lasagnes and other saucy pasta dishes.
Meaty Tomato Sauce
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1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large can of low salt diced tomatoes
1 small tin of tomato paste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence
1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
salt and pepper, to taste
In a large deep fry pan over medium-high heat add the olive oil wait a few minutes for the oil to warm up then add the chopped onions. Stir and allow the onions to get semi transparent. Add the ground beef and using a wooden spoon break up the beef and mix with the onions. Stir constantly, allowing the beef to brown. Once the beef has browned add the can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, Herbs de Provence, red chili flakes and salt and pepper. Stir to combine together. Reduce heat to low-medium and allow to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Taste and adjust the seasoning according to preference.