Tomato Sauce Italian Style a la Lori

 Tomato Sauce ...easy and delicious
  
 My favorite Tomato sauce recipe for 40 years... for spaghetti ,baked ziti,Chicken Cacciatore,Pizza Lasagna and chicken or veal Parmesan to name a few

Makes 2 quarts (recipe can be doubled or tripled,,if you have a larger pot)
Prep Time: 45 minutes from chopping til eating

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil enough to coat the bottom of a Large pot 1/4" (6-8 quart)
6 oz can tomato paste
2 cups onion diced
2 cloves garlic or 1 tsp granular dry
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1 tsp each basil, thyme, oregano
4 Cups hot water
28 oz large cans Contadina crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Red Pepper flakes (OPTIONAL) a pinch at a time and stir, to taste

Directions:
1. Dice onion, mince garlic, chop parsley, keep separate
2. Saute onion until soft and translucent not browned . 10 minutes
3. Add tomato paste, saute on medium heat 5 minutes, stirring so it doesn't burn
4. Add garlic and all herbs, saute 5 minutes stirring occasionally
5. Add crushed tomatoes, heat to bubbling on high, stirring occasionally to move tomatoes from the bottom.
6. Add water stirring as you add to combine all ingredients.
It will thicken as you simmer
 Optional: add more water  to get the consistency that you enjoy .
7. Simmer consistently for 30 minutes - gently stir occasionally so bottom doesn't burn
8. Add Tsp salt and pepper to Taste
9. Add a spoonful of sugar and stir well.( from the  cup,) taste after each addition until you like the flavor.
10.Optional:  Add  pepper flakes to taste if you want it spicy