Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Starting to see fresh ripe tomatoes at the market, or even in your own garden? It is the perfect time to use those tomatoes and make a delicious tomato sauce. The secret to having a perfect blend of acidity and sweetness is adding 1/4 cup of Crosby’s Fancy Molasses. This will reduce the acidity of a less than sweet tomato, while also making the sauce smoother. As our molasses is a nutritive sweetener, you will also have the added benefit of vitamins and minerals, such as B2, iron, magnesium and potassium! Enjoy the recipe and let us know how you make out.

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

• • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for more richness)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery stalk, finely diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
  • 4 Tomatoes or 1 can (14.5 oz/410 g) of crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth or water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) red wine (optional, for extra depth)

For Serving:

• • • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
    • Grated Parmesan cheese
    • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef (and pork if using). Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen its flavor.
• Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth (or water). Stir well.
• Pour in Crosby Fancy Molasses and mix to combine.
• Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
• If using red wine, pour it in now and stir.
• Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for at least 30 minutes. For a richer, more developed flavor, you can simmer it for up to 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Cook the Spaghetti:

• While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Combine and Serve:

• Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Fresh Tomato Sauce, or serve the sauce on top of the spaghetti.
• Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil or parsley.