Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

Saveur (from Marcella Hazan)

Makes 3 cups

• 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed
• ¼ tsp. sugar
• 1 (28-oz.) can whole, peeled tomatoes in juice, crushed by hand
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered lengthwise
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Bring butter, sugar, tomatoes, and onion, to a boil in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and sauce is slightly reduced, about 45 minutes. Discard onion, and season sauce with salt and pepper before serving.