Brandied Tomato Sauce Flambe

Elevate your dinner game with this bold and flavorful Brandied Tomato Sauce Flambé, a show-stopping recipe that brings both drama and depth to the table. This rich, homemade tomato sauce starts with a base of sautéed onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper for a balance of savory and spicy. Hand-crushed whole tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic herbs like oregano and fresh basil deliver layers of freshness, while a touch of sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. The true star of the dish, however, is the flambéed brandy, which adds a subtle caramelized complexity to the sauce as the alcohol burns away in a spectacular fiery flourish. Perfect for coating al dente pasta, draping over seared meats, or spooning onto roasted vegetables, this sauce is a versatile and impressive addition to any meal. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s the ultimate recipe for entertaining or treating yourself to gourmet-quality dining at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes
• 28 ounces Canned whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoons Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoons Dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.25 cups Brandy

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter, allowing them to melt and combine.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Carefully pour in the hand-crushed tomatoes along with their juice. Add the tomato paste, sugar, and dried oregano, stirring to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Allow the sauce to cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the flavors have melded together.

Step 6

Season the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.

Step 7

Carefully pour the brandy into the pan. Using a long lighter or match, ignite the brandy to flambé. Gently swirl the pan (be cautious of the flame) until the alcohol burns off and the flame extinguishes naturally.

Step 8

Give the sauce a final stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting as necessary.

Step 9

Serve immediately over freshly cooked pasta, or use as a sauce for meats or vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	956.3 grams (956.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	830

Total Fat 54.00g	69%
Saturated Fat 18.10g	91%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 1312mg	57%
Total Carbohydrate 54.70g	20%
Dietary Fiber 12.00g	43%
Total Sugars 38.00g
Protein 8.50g	17%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 170mg	13%
Iron 7mg	37%
Potassium 1696mg	36%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.8%

Protein: 4.6%

Carbs: 29.6%