This recipe was first cooked for us by an Italian friend. We wrote down his instructions, and it’s been a firm family and guest favourite since then.
If you have someone for whom texture is an issue, try whizzing the finished product with a food processor / hand blender.
The ½ teaspoon of sugar balances out the tartness of the multitude of tomatoes!
500g mince
Bottle of tomato passata or any tomato pasta sauce
Can chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 medium onion, diced
½ tsp crushed garlic
½ teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
A few herbs, eg oregano, parsley, basil
Water as needed
Heat oil in a large pan. Add the onion and sauté until cooked. Remove from heat and add garlic, stir through until garlic cooks (about 10-20 seconds).
Add mince and place back on heat. Break the mince up, continue cooking and turning until it is no longer red and almost cooked through. Add passata, canned tomatoes and tomato paste, and mix through.
Add sugar and herbs, add 1-2 cups of water, stir through. Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Check regularly, adding more water as needed.
Serve over your favourite type of pasta.
Happy Cooking!
Joni
Joni Page 