Simple Sauce

At The Sister Project, we love serving up delicious, no-fuss recipes that taste so good, you'll want to share them with your friends. We know life is busy, so we keep it simple—recipes with minimal ingredients that deliver maximum flavor, as if they’ve been simmering all day.

Let's start slow with one of our favorite pasta dishes, served with a simple yet incredibly delicious sauce. This recipe comes straight from our Italian relatives. Years ago, they visited us in America, took one look at our hot dogs and deep-dish pizza, and immediately dragged us to the grocery store. They cooked every meal until they left, and we happily devoured every bite.

This Simple Sauce is exactly what the name suggests—easy to make, kid-approved, and a lifesaver when surprise guests show up. I always keep the ingredients on hand because, without fail, there are never any leftovers.

Simple Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 box pasta
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 1 (28 oz.) can tomato sauce (I prefer Dei Fratelli)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2–3 tbsp butter
• Salt
• Fresh Parmesan

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent (about 2 minutes).
2. Pour in the tomato sauce, add the butter, and let it melt into the sauce. Season generously with salt (about ½ tablespoon). Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
4. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce.
5. Plate, top with freshly grated Parmesan, and enjoy!

Serve it as is, add meatballs, or pair it with a simple salad. No matter what, this dish is always a hit!