“The Bear” Spaghetti Sauce

If you’re obsessed with anything food-related like me, then I am sure that you watched “The Bear” on FX. If you haven’t, go watch it ASAP. I freaking loved the show and when my dad told me that he made the pasta sauce from the final episode, I knew I had to make it for myself. My dad claims this sauce is ‘life-changing’, and he’s not kidding. I fact-checked my memory of my dad recalling the recipe using this Buzzfeed article

Ingredients

  • 1 28oz Can of San Marzano tomatoes, which can be whole peeled or already blended [I used blended so I didn’t have to mash my tomatoes]
  • 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1 Large Yellow Onion, cut in half, through the root
  • 1/2 TSP Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter
  • Large handful of Basil, stems & all
  • 5 Garlic Cloves, peeled & smashed
  • 1 TBSP Neutral Oil [vegetable/canola]

Let’s Get Cookin’

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 Cup oil + garlic + 1/2 TSP red pepper flakes + basil. Turn heat to MED-LOW and let come to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes/until basil is wilted. Remove from heat and let steep.

In a large pot, add the butter + TBSP neutral oil, and allow to melt. Slice the onion through the root and peel off the skins. Once the butter is melted and beginning to brown, add in the onion halves cut-side down. Allow to sear for 2-3 minutes – as they begin to turn golden brown.

Add in the can of tomatoes, slowly, into the butter and oil, BE CAREFUL OF SPLASHING. Crush up your tomatoes if you used whole tomatoes. Bring up to a boil and season with salt. Let simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Once the infused oil has cooled, place in a blender and blend until the garlic and basil is chopped. Combine the oil into the tomato sauce and let simmer for 10 more minutes. Season with additional sauce if needed.

Serve with your favorite pasta, and don’t forget to reserve some of that pasta water to use when you are combining the sauce & pasta.

Made with Love,

Hannah

P.S don’t forget the garlic bread + meatballs + a good glass of wine.

From Scratch: Spaghetti & Meatballs

I love noodles, so simple and comforting. As a kid I could eat noodles for every meal, but the sauce always had to be on the side. As my self-taught, home kitchen culinary skills grew, making pasta was on my list to make. With a new kitchen aid, and attachments, I was able to scratch off homemade pasta.

I was expecting the process of pasta making to be drawn out and difficult. I soon realized my assumption was far from the truth. The pasta included 4 ingredients, Semolina flour + eggs + water + oil.

The directions on the semolina bag were easy to follow. A well was made in the flour and the remaining ingredients were added. The dough is then kneaded until there are no cracks. The dough is left to sit for about 30 minutes, wrapped in a towel.

After the dough has taken a break, it is finally time for the best part! I had never used a pasta roller or cutter before so this was a very exciting time for me. The dough was put through the roller, then folded over, repeating this step until the desired thickness. The dough is then put through the pasta cutter, I used the spaghetti cutter for my first try.

The pasta is then cooked in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes. Be sure to watch carefully as it cooks super fast! This was some of the most fun I had cooking in awhile! If I could I would make homemade pasta for every occasion.

Made with Love,

Hannah