This is my standard tomato sauce which goes perfectly with all types of pasta and gnocchi. You could make up a bit more of it and freeze it so it’s handy for a really quick and easy supper.

Ingredients

  • olive oil
  • 1 tin or carton passata
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp mixed dried herbs
  • 1 tbsp paprika puree (or tomato puree)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tsp paprika (not spicy)
  • 1 tsp dried vegetable stock
  • 1/2 tsp sugar or honey (optional)
  • freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. In a saucepan, fry the onion in a little olive oil until soft.
  2. Stir in the garlic and herbs and fry for another minute.
  3. Add all the other ingredients (except sugar or honey), stir well and turn heat down to medium low.
  4. Taste to see whether it need the sugar/honey, depending on whether the passata is a little bit acidic or not.
  5. Cover and cook on a low heat for 20 mins, stirring occasionally.
  6. Taste again to check for seasoning.
  7. Cook for a further 10 mins to allow to thicken slightly.