My Favorite Tomato Sauce

Have you ever had one of those days when you get home from work and it's late. You still have to workout, so being the committed health-nut you are, you do your workout... and now it's later. You are hungry and want to eat, but know that whatever you decide to cook, it's going be even later when you sit down to eat. And on top of that, whatever you make will have to be cleaned at the end. What to do???

Enter: my favorite tomato sauce recipe. In the amount of time it takes to boil water and make pasta I can make this sauce from scratch and throw together a quick and easy salad. Ta-dah! Healthy and tasty dinner, done in about 20 minutes (and the dish load is 2 pots, 1 cutting board, 1 knife, and the bowls you are eating in along with silverware).

Ingredients

• 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil 
• 4-6 garlic cloves, chopped 
• 1 medium onion, chopped 
• 4-6 ripe tomatoes, chopped 
• 4-6 fresh basil leaves, chopped 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• Pasta of your choice (follow directions on the package)

Directions                                                    

1. Follow the directions for your chosen pasta and start the water boiling in a sauce pan, once the water is ready add the pasta, cook as directed, drain and set aside if the sauce is not ready yet 
2. Meanwhile, in a separate sauce pan, heat the olive oil over medium-hi heat 
3. Add the chopped onions and garlic - cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally (about 4 minutes) 
4. Add the chopped tomatoes, cover and let cook, stirring occasionally (about 8-10 minutes) 
5. Add the chopped basil, salt and pepper to taste 
6. Serve the pasta, drenched in fresh tomato sauce and enjoy! 

Options

• Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese or a few more pieces of fresh basil 
• Instead of tomatoes - consider making the sauce with yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, spinach or any other tasty vegetable combination
• While the sauce is simmering and the pasta is boiling chop up a quick and easy fresh salad to pair with the meal