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The pasta from the bear, or spaghetti pomodoro

Pasta from 'The Bear' (Spaghetti Pomodoro)

Cara Campbell
The pasta from 'The Bear' (spaghetti pomodoro) highlights tomato as the main flavor. Basil, hot pepper flakes, and garlic all play a supporting role, but tomato is the star of the show.
4.86 from 14 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Pasta, Sauce
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 666 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Dutch Oven

Ingredients
  

  • ½ C olive oil light-tasting
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • ¾ teaspoon hot pepper flakes you can adjust to your taste
  • ½-¾ C basil leaves packed
  • ½ C butter
  • 1 onion cut in half, peeled
  • 3 C San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 lb spaghetti or fettucine
  • ½ C parmesan cheese for serving
  • extra basil leaves for serving
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add oil, garlic, hot pepper flakes, and basil to a small saucepan. Heat over medium low. Once the ingredients start to sizzle, cook for 45 seconds - 2 minutes, until the basil is starting to wilt. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, cut side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until it's just starting to brown. Add the San Marzano tomatoes, and mash with a potato masher until they are broken up into chunks.
  • Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make your spaghetti according to package directions, minus 2 minutes. You want to get the pasta out just before it's al dente so it can finish cooking in the tomatoes.
  • Pour your cool(ish) oil in a food processor, and chop.
  • Add the oil to the tomatoes, and simmer for another five minutes.
  • Remove the onion. Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust accordingly. Add the spagetti, cook for another two minutes until al dente. Remove to a serving platter, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of good olive oil.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Adjust the seasoning as you like in this recipe - use more or less red pepper flakes, and make sure you're on top of the salt situation!
Don't let the butter brown while you're cooking the onion. Keep a close eye on the temperature, and turn it down if you need too. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 666kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 18gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 280mgPotassium: 743mgFiber: 10gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 759IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 571mgIron: 19mg
Keyword fettuccine pomodoro, pasta from the bear, spaghetti al pomodoro, the bear pasta
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