An all-purpose red sauce that's ideal for pasta and meatballs, lasagna, cannelloni, etc.
Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
2 pounds mild Italian sausages, casings removed
2 large onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped garlic
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 28-ounce cans Italian-style tomatoes
1 cup water
1 cup chopped fresh basil (about 4 large bunches)
Directions
Heat oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Add sausage; sauté until brown, breaking up with back of spoon, about 6 minutes. Add onions and garlic to pot; sauté until onions are translucent, about 8 minutes. Mix in tomato paste. Add tomatoes with their juices, water and basil. Bring sauce to simmer, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
