Sassy ‘sketti Sauce

I believe I am addicted to cookbooks…on average I check out about 4 every time we go to the library—and I have about 50 cookbooks hangin’ out in my kitchen. This love of books will serve you well when you are savoring this delectable sauce. I have been challenged making sauce from scratch…it was either too thin, too bland, or just the wrong combo of spices. This sauce is thick & rich and perfectly seasoned…and the chipotle gives it a kick and that “what IS that yummy spice” flavor.

      Freezes well: Simply cool completely, place in gallon zip top bag, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

If you’ve got a hankerin’ for some spaghetti and meatballs…only to discover you have everything but the jar of sauce…make sure you tape this recipe to the inside of your cupboard to rescue you every time & it is SO easy to put together. And, for those of you looking for a way to use all of the beautiful tomatoes coming off the vines in your gardens–this is the PERFECT solution. Or, if you have a can or two of crushed tomatoes in your cupboard…you will have dinner on the table in NO time! I made a few minor changes, but credit is due to Ellie Krieger’s cookbook “The Food You Crave” {she’s on the Food Network and makes yummy food lighter}.

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 medium onions, chopped (about 3 cups)

8 cloves garlic, minced

6 Tbsp. tomato paste

56 oz cans crushed tomatoes (or 56 oz. worth of diced, fresh tomatoes—seeds removed)

1/4 tsp. chipotle powder

4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. rosemary (fresh or dried)

1/2 c. fresh basil, torn into pieces (use ONLY fresh, no dried this time)

1 tsp. Kosher salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

*Boil large pot of water for 1 box of spaghetti. Cook pasta according to box directions.

*Heat oil over medium heat in 6-quart saucepan. Add onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for additional minute.

*Add tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle powder, oregano, rosemary, and salt & pepper. Stir well. Simmer for about 30 minutes {may need to cook a bit longer if using fresh tomatoes..you can smash them with a potato masher to hasten cooking and improve texture for this sauce}. Stir frequently.

*Add fresh basil (fresh herbs are added for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time, dried herbs are added at the beginning of cooking). Cook additional 5 minutes.

This is enough sauce to toss the pasta in it and have a little leftover to pour over meatballs, if using.

You could also add browned ground beef or browned ground pork, if desired. For vegetarians—you can purchase veg. “hamburger” crumbles in the frozen foods section and simply add frozen and heat through.