How To Make Pasta Al Pomodoro

Alot of you may not know what this is, but Pasta Al Pomodoro is a favorite Italian dish of mine. It's very cheap and easy to make, but is also packed with delicious flavor. In this article, I will teach you how to make Pasta Al Pomodoro. But first, you will need the following ingredients:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1-3 pinches crushed red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you want it)

1 28 ounce can tomato sauce

salt

3 large fresh basil sprigs (found in the produce section at many grocery stores)

12 ounces bucatini or spaghetti

2 tables cubed unsalted butter

1/4 cup finely grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

Step 1: Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a 12" skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 12 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring for 2-4 minutes. Add crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more. Increase heat to medium, add tomato sauce and season lightly with salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld, about 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in basil sprigs, and set aside/

Step 2: Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a 5-quart pot. Season with salt; add spaghetti or bucatini and cook, stirring occasionally, until about 2 minutes before tender. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.

Step 3: Discard basil and heat skillet over high heat. Stir in reserved pasta water to loosen sauce; bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring, until sauce coats pasta and pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat; add butter and cheese; toss until cheese melts. Transfer to warm bowls. For maximum flavor, add additional cheese to each bowl. 

This is what the finished product should look like.