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The Bear Spaghetti Recipe

The Bear Spaghetti Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 20 reviews

The Bear Spaghetti is a simple yet flavorful Italian pasta dish that combines al dente spaghetti with a rich, smooth tomato sauce infused with garlic, basil, and a hint of red pepper flakes. This recipe highlights the use of high-quality San Marzano tomatoes and fresh ingredients to create a comforting, aromatic meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta

  • 220g spaghetti

For the Sauce

  • 80ml olive oil
  • 1 (400g) can chopped San Marzano tomatoes or high-quality Italian tomatoes
  • ½ large yellow onion
  • ½ packet fresh basil leaves (or 12g basil leaves)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
  • 60g butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Parmesan cheese, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Infuse the Olive Oil: In a small saucepan, add the olive oil. Smash and peel the garlic cloves, then add them to the oil along with the red pepper flakes and basil leaves. Place over medium-low heat until the mixture begins to simmer. Let it infuse for 1-2 minutes to release the flavors, then remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water to use later in the sauce.
  3. Prepare the Onion Base: Slice the half yellow onion through the root and peel off the skin. In a large pot, heat the butter with a splash of olive oil over medium-low heat. Place the onion halves cut-side down in the pot and cook for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant, which will add depth to your sauce.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Add the canned chopped tomatoes to the pot with the onion, breaking them up gently with a wooden spoon. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, season with salt, then cover and reduce heat to let it simmer for 8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Combine Infused Oil and Finish Sauce: Stir the infused basil and garlic olive oil into the tomato sauce, adjusting salt to taste. Pour in the reserved pasta water and let the sauce simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Remove the onion halves and use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth and creamy.
  6. Toss Pasta with Sauce and Serve: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat each strand evenly. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and additional fresh basil if desired for extra flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes according to your preference.
  • Using San Marzano tomatoes is recommended for authentic flavor but high-quality canned tomatoes work well too.
  • Reserve pasta water is essential to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the spaghetti better.
  • This sauce can be prepared in advance and reheated gently; just re-whip before serving to restore texture.
  • Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a delicious umami finish.
  • Use fresh basil for infusion and garnish, but dried basil can be substituted in a pinch though flavor will be less vibrant.

Nutrition

Keywords: Bear Spaghetti, Italian pasta recipe, tomato basil sauce, easy spaghetti, garlic infused pasta sauce, San Marzano tomato sauce

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/the-bear-spaghetti-recipe/