Classico Recipe
Tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
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Ingredients
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Sauce Ingredients
Cheese Ingredients
Method
Sauce Preparation
- 1
Prepare the Tomatoes
Open the canned whole tomatoes and pour them into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, or leave a few chunks if you prefer a rustic sauce.
- 2
- 3
Add Tomatoes and Season
Pour the blended tomatoes into the saucepan, then add salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine.
- 4
Simmer the Sauce
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- 5
Finish with Basil
Once the sauce is thick, tear the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Cheese Preparation
- 6
Prepare the Cheese
While the sauce is simmering, slice the fresh mozzarella cheese into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Grate the Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated.
Assembly
- 7
Layer the Ingredients
In a baking dish or on a pizza crust, spread a layer of the tomato sauce evenly across the bottom. Then, place the mozzarella slices on top of the sauce, followed by a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 8
Final Bake
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.