How do you thicken a spaghetti sauce that is too liquid?
by Karine Lemoine
The tomato sauce has been simmering for a while, but it's still surprisingly liquid, almost like soup instead of topping pasta. How do you get it back to a good consistency?
Several methods can be used to thicken spaghetti sauce that is too liquid, some simply requiring time, others an additional ingredient.
Table of Contents
Here are the most effective techniques for getting a nice tomato sauce.
Let it reduce to low heat
The simplest solution, and often the best in terms of taste, is to leave the sauce onSimmer uncovered, over low heat, stirring regularly. The water evaporates gradually and the sauce is concentrated in flavor as well as in texture. Depending on the amount of excess liquid, this may take 15 to 40 minutes.
This method requires patience but avoids adding ingredients that could dilute the tomato flavor.
Add tomato paste
A tablespoon oftomato paste, added at the end of cooking and mixed well, thickens the sauce while strengthening its taste. It's a quick fix that works well when the sauce lacks both texture and intensity. It is best to incorporate it little by little so as not to make the sauce too acidic or too concentrated.
Starch or breadcrumbs, quick solutions
For immediate results, a small amount ofcornstarchDiluted in a little bit of cold water, then poured into the hot sauce while stirring, it thickens in a few minutes without changing the taste. Fine breadcrumbs or crumbled breadcrumbs work according to the same principle: they absorb excess liquid and add a slight softness to the sauce, a traditional technique in many home kitchens.
Our tips
►Do not cover the pan while reducing
A lid traps steam and prevents water from evaporating, which slows thickening considerably.
►Add thickeners gradually
Whether it's tomato paste, starch or breadcrumbs, add them little by little as you taste, to keep the flavors balanced.
►Think stewed vegetables
Carrots or onions finely cut and simmered for a long time in the sauce disintegrate and naturally thicken the preparation while adding sweetness.
Whether it is obtained by reduction, tomato paste or a little starch, a spaghetti sauce that is too liquid can easily be made up for with a little patience.
You can also read:What to do if your rice is too stickyandCan you replace crème fraîche with yogurt.
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