National Pasta Day with Carrabbas Italian Grill

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s National Pasta Day, and managing partner Ernie Pitts from Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Macon came by to show us how to make their Pomodoro sauce.

Here’s the recipe:

POMODORO

Makes about 1 quart

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Yellow onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in juice
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil

INSTUCTIONS

1. Combine the onion in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown and just beginning to caramelize, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Pour the tomatoes and their juices into a bowl. Crush the tomatoes between your fingers. Pour the tomatoes and their juices into the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until the tomato juices have thickened and the sauce has reduced slightly, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the basil over the sauce and cover with the lid. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the basil. (The sauce can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to three days. Or freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using).

TIP: To avoid bruising the basil, tare the leaves into pieces with your fingers. This will also leave you with basil-scented fingers.

In honor of National Pasta Day, the restaurant is having a ten-dollar pasta promotion through Sunday, October, 20.