Name: Italian Spaghetti Sauce With Caramelized Onion Balsamic Swirl
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) ripe tomatoes, peeled and crushed; 2 cans (800g each) crushed tomatoes; 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 3 large onions, diced and thinly sliced; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried basil; 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 Tbsp granulated sugar; 0.5 tsp salt + to taste; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable broth or water; 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1 Tbsp brown sugar; Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Description

This Italian spaghetti sauce is a rich, slow-simmered delight, elevated by a luscious caramelized onion balsamic swirl. It’s a labor of love resulting in a sauce bursting with freshness and complexity.

Ingredients

1.5 kg (3.3 lb) ripe tomatoes, peeled and crushed
2 cans (800g each) crushed tomatoes
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 large onions, diced and thinly sliced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
0.5 tsp salt + to taste
0.25 tsp black pepper
250 ml (1 cup) vegetable broth or water
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp brown sugar
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil for 6-8 minutes until softened.
Bloom Garlic: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Combine Tomato Base: Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Simmer to Perfection: Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Craft Onion Swirl: Caramelize thinly sliced onions in olive oil for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Reduce Swirl: Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar; simmer for 5 minutes until glossy.
Season and Adjust: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Incorporate Swirl: Swirl caramelized onion reduction into the sauce.
Cook Pasta: Cook spaghetti, reserving pasta water, and toss with sauce.
Serve and Garnish: Plate spaghetti, ladle sauce, and garnish with basil.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use vegetable broth instead of water. Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference. Long, slow simmering deepens the flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 70 minutes
Category: Pasta
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 400 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 10 mg