Pantry Pomodoro

By Kate Campbell

Serves: 6–8 | Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min–8 hrs

If there’s one sauce I believe every home cook should master, it’s this one. Pantry Pomodoro isthe foundation of countless meals—simple, versatile, and always satisfying. With just a few key pantrystaples—San Marzano tomatoes, good olive oil, and plenty of fresh garlic—you can create a basesauce that stands on its own or transforms into something bigger. Think of it as your kitchen safety net:weeknight pasta in a pinch, the start of a Sunday sauce, or the perfect partner to a tray of meatballs. It’salso the classic, no-fail marinara you want for chicken parm, eggplant parm, baked ziti, or layeredinto lasagna. Once you’ve got this base down, you’ve got the foundation for a whole family of recipes.The magic comes from its flexibility—simmer it for 20 minutes for a quick, bright sauce, or let it bubbleaway all day for deeper, richer flavor. And from this same base, you can build other iconic sauces—smokyAmatriciana or fiery Arrabbiata—just by adding a few twists. Pomodoro is more than a sauce; it’s a ritual,a foundation, and the reason I always keep a stash of crushed San Marzano tomatoes in my pantry.

Ingredients

San Marzano tomatoes – 2 large cans, crushed

Garlic – 3 cloves, shaved (use a mandolin or thin slice)

Extra virgin olive oil – ⅓ cup

Fresh basil – 1/2 cup, finely chopped (or sub dried if you don’t have fresh)

Dried oregano or Italian seasoning – 1–2 tsp

Garlic salt – to taste

Black pepper – to taste

Directions

1. Prep the garlic: Slice or shave with a mandolin until thin.

2. Saute: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and saut. for 3–5 minutes until aromatic and just tender (don’t let it burn).

3. Build the sauce: Add tomatoes, oregano, garlic salt, and pepper. Bring to a bubbling boil, stirring occasionally.

4. Simmer: Reduce to a low simmer. Cover and let cook anywhere from 20 minutes to 8 hours, depending on your schedule and mood.

5. Finish: Stir in fresh basil just before serving.