Instructions: In a 5- to 6-quart pan, combine chopped onion, garlic, and olive oil. Stir often over medium-high heat until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

While onion cooks, mince basil leaves. Add to onion along with tomatoes with their juice, dry red wine, and hot chili flakes. Boil until reduced to 3 cups, about 10 minutes, stirring often and breaking tomatoes into small pieces. Use hot.

Makes 3 cups sauce; 4 servings.

Comments: As the pasta business has grown, so has the number of sauces. Many prepared sauces are of good quality, and theyre certainly fast and convenient. But I find it incredibly satisfying to make my own simple tomato sauce. It takes just 20 minutes - only slightly longer than heating a prepared sauce. I start with canned tomatoes and dress them up with whatever I have on hand. The results taste surprisingly fresh. Heres my favorite combination - delicious over anything from capellini to ravioli, and great in lasagna.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.