Celebrating National Spaghetti Day with Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Sterling Heights

Recipe for the Pomodoro Sauce that is used in the Spaghetti and Meatballs: POMODORO Makes about 1 quart INGREDIENTS • 1 Yellow onion, finely chopped • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in juice • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil INSTUCTIONS 1. Combine the onion in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown and just beginning to caramelize, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. 2. Pour the tomatoes and their juices into a bowl. Crush the tomatoes between your fingers. Pour the tomatoes and their juices into the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until the tomato juices have thickened and the sauce has reduced slightly, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the basil over the sauce and cover with the lid. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the basil. (The sauce can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to three days. Or freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using). TIP: To avoid bruising the basil, tare the leaves into pieces with your fingers. This will also leave you with basil-scented fingers. Spaghetti and Meatballs is the ultimate weeknight family dinner — quick, easy, and picky eater-approved! And one of the perfect days to enjoy this pasta favorite is today, National Spaghetti Day! To celebrate, Carrabba’s Italian Grill is showing viewers how to prepare this delicious recipe – including their Pomodoro sauce – Carrabba’s founder’s family tomato sauce recipe. They also have these spaghetti tips to share: • Don’t crowd your spaghetti, let it swim. • Allow 1 gallon of water for every pound of pasta. • Bring your water to a full boil before adding salt. Salt dissolves better in hot water. • To keep your spaghetti from sticking together, give it a good stir to be sure it isn’t clumping as soon as it is added to the water. • The only way to really tell when spaghetti is done is to steal a piece from the pot and taste it! • Add meatballs to make it a heartier dish! For more information or to find your nearest Carrabba’s Italian Grill, visit www.carrabbas.com.