If Parmesan and Marinara
had a baby 😍

Delicious, easy, and cheesy!!
Tell me who could ask for anything more?!

I'm not a huge marinara fan because I feel it is too runny. This sauce is ’thicker’ and holds better to the pasta.

I blend it smooth, but you could also just break the tomatoes down with a masher or fork. Should you choose to do this, I would suggest chopping your fresh basil into smaller bits. I have made this sauce both ways and both were a huge hit with my family and friends.  

Here is what you will need:

Olive oil and shallot not pictured

1/4 c. + 2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4-5 cloves of Garlic, peeled and chopped

2   Shallots, thinly sliced 

4  15 oz cans of Cherry Tomatoes (you can use whole or diced tomatoes as well)

2 Fresh Carrots peeled and cut in half, then length wise

Parmesan rinds (you can do as many as you want I usually do 3-4)

1/2 tsp salt

2 Bayleaf

A handful Basil (10-12 leaves), tear in to large pieces (if you don’t have fresh Basil, add 1 T dry Basil leaves) 

4 T butter

1/2 c grated Parmesan

In a medium size sauce pan turn on heat to medium.

Garlic and shallots just make any dish more delicious!

Place the 2T of olive oil

Then add the garlic and shallots

Sauté for a few minutes till the shallot is translucent and the garlic is fragrant

Beautiful colors!

Add the Cherry Tomatoes (juice and all)

Add the salt, parmesan rinds, bayleaf, carrots, basil leaves and the rest of the olive oil

Bring to a soft boil

Partly covered sauce pan.

Turn heat to low and simmer 30 minutes partly covered. Stir occasionally.

Carrots make for a great snack!

Remove rind, bay leaves, and carrots

Blending the butter in makes the sauce
 that much more richer!

Add 4 T butter and with an immersion blender blend till smooth (you can do this also in a regular blender in batches I would do 1/2 at a time)

Cheese glorious cheese!!!

Add 3/4 c freshly grated parmesan 

Lower heat to a simmer and stir till the cheese has melted. This should only take a minute or two.

Is it bad form to want to drink this like a drink?
Asking for a friend!

Serve over pasta (with a sprinkle of a little more parmesan as pictured at the top). My daughter who is gluten free puts it over zoodles or sautéed veggies. That is really good and satisfying.   
You can also add any cooked protein you desired. I like to meal prep some chicken and have it already cooked and diced up. Another food thing to add would be left over cooked sausage or ground beef. Whether you include protein or eat it as it's amazing!
Enjoy!

Lar

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