Pasta All'Amatriciana

• FAST
• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2. 3 garlic cloves, halved
3. 3 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, finely diced
4. 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
5. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
6. One 35-ounce can whole peeled Italian tomatoes
7. Salt and freshly ground pepper
8. Pinch of sugar
9. 2 basil sprigs
10. 1 pound spaghetti

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, pancetta and crushed red pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes, crushing them with the back of a spoon; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the sugar and basil and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and reduced to 3 cups, about 30 minutes. Discard the basil and garlic.
2. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti until al dente; drain. Toss the spaghetti with the hot sauce and serve.