Sweet Sweet Tomato Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauce over thick spaghetti

 Every once in a while I have a craving for a sweet pasta sauce. Katie always has a craving for sweet pasta sauce. For our anniversary this year Steven took Katie and me to a little Italian restaurant (yes Katie went with us and it was really nice).  We had some amazing rongini (rice balls); one of my favorite all time Italian dishes. I have never made them because once I did I would make and eat way too many. We also spaghetti with a sweet tomato sauce. It was lovely. Yep, I have a craving for sweet tomato sauce over pasta. I would usually make meatballs to go with it.  But I have some turkey kielbasa that needs to be used so kielbasa it is. I have a range for the brown sugar because how much sugar is added depends on how acidic the tomatoes are (I think it varies from can to can but that may just be me) and how sweet you want the sauce. Usually one tablespoon of brown sugar works great but I taste the sauce and adjust as needed.

Sweet Tomato Pasta Sauce

2 Tbsp of Olive Oil
3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
1 28 oz (794 g) Can of Crushed Tomatoes in Heavy Puree
1/2 Tsp of Dried Basil
1/2 Tsp of Dried Oregano
1/2 Tsp of Dried Parsley
1/4 Tsp of Dried Thyme
1/4 Tsp of Crushed Red Peppers (Optional)
1/4 Tsp of Salt
A Couple Turns of the Pepper Mill
1-2 Tbsp of Brown Sugar

Pour oil into large sauce pan and add garlic. Heat over low heat for a couple of minutes until starting to brown (you do not want the garlic to brown).

Heating garlic over low heat

Add the remaining ingredients and heat uncovered over low heat while you cook the pasta (it only needs to cook for 20 minutes or so). The sauce should not come to a boil.

Heating the tomato sauce and enjoying the smell

Serve over pasta (with lots of grated Parmesan cheese) or use as a pizza sauce.

The bottom line: will I make this again? Yes and often. It is a great tomato sauce for the winter- it is tasty even though it is made with canned tomatoes and dried spices. So so good.