Tomato Sauce Recipe

Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, carrot, pepper, and basil. simmer for 30 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water. Cook 15 minutes more, then stir in the butter and salt. Serve with cooked pasta.

I. Italian Tomato Sauce with Ground Beef: Add 1 lb. ground beef to the heated oil. Cook, stirring and breaking the beef into tiny pieces, until the meat loses its pinkness. If the beef is fat, spoon off all but 3 tablespoons of fat and proceed as directed.

II. Italian Tomato Sauce with Garlic and Onions: Cook 1 onion, chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced, in the heated oil for 3 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.