For 2 people - double as appropriate
1/2 jar passata (i get the cheapest from ocado something like 67p each) or 1 tin chopped tomatoes
1-2 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
1 tbsp olive oil
Basil leaves
Heat olive oil in saucepan and fry garlic cloves until golden, turning as necessary, then throw garlic away. Do not let it burn. My DH skips this step or you could use garlic flavoured oil
Add passata, plus a dash of water, bring to boil, add a few basil leaves, simmer for 10-20 mins until the sauce looks thick. You will need a lid half-covering the pan as it bloops. If you want to cook for an hour use double the passata/tomatoes for the same number of people.
Add a few more torn up basil leaves just before eating. Serve with parmesan
That's it. This is DH's mum's recipe - she liked things super simple but honestly it's really comforting. You don't need onions / sugar / other herbs at all. You can add one small dried chilli at the beginning if you want it spicy.
For pasta bake use a whole jar of passata, cook for 20 mins as above. Mix with 500g pasta cooked for 2 mins less than on the pack, put in dish, top with 2 x 125g balls of light mozzarella chopped up and lashings of parmesan (we buy the ready grated stuff). 6 servings. Lasts 3-4 days in the fridge and better the day after making.