If you are anything like me you have a tendency to overindulge on sweets and delicious foods available during the fall and winter holidays. As soon as January 1st comes around I make a resolution to eat better and exercise more during the year. Luckily my mom raised us on very healthy foods and I always watched her cooking in the kitchen, so I know how to make healthy and lean dishes. Actually sticking with the healthy plan while working and going to school full time can be difficult, but now I can’t use that excuse since I graduated last month. Still, one of my go-to recipes is an easy dish from Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Italian Cooking called “Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter” that has been adapted on multiple blogs, and I frequently recommend this recipe to friends and family. All you need are 4 ingredients – it doesn’t get easier than that.

Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter
adapted from Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Italian Cooking

serves approximately four people as a main

28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes *I usually use diced tomatoes*
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
salt and pepper
pasta

  1. Combine tomatoes, butter, and onion in a heavy saucepan (3 qt works well, but I usually double the recipe for lunch the next day) over medium heat.
  2. Bring to a boil.
  3. Turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes.
  4. Discard onion.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve with pasta. *I personally like penne with this sauce*

That’s all there is to it!

Here are other recommended cookbooks:

What are your favorite cookbooks to use during the week?

Image Credit 1
Image Credit 2
Image Credit 3
Image Credit 4