Description

This delicious sauce is perfectly spicy and hearty. Not only does it come together easily, you probably already have all the ingredients needed to make and serve it tonight. You can use this sauce to make shakshuka, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, or spread it onto a hoagie with a heavy handful of provolone cheese for a delicious meatball sub. It's also good served over pasta, on pizzas, or as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks.

Directions

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the shallot and continue to sauté until they turn translucent, about 2 minutes. 
4. Add the garlic and tomato paste, stirring continuously until fragrant and well combined, about 1 minute.
5. Add the tomatoes, raise the heat to high and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes, or to desired consistency. 
7. Stir in the fresh basil, and adjust the seasoning with salt and more pepper flakes, if desired. Serve over pasta or as suggested above.