2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1 small carrot, grated
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (optional)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6-ounce jar Bionaturae tomato paste (or 3 tablespoons canned tomato paste)
1 cup Pomi strained tomatoes (or canned tomato sauce)
2 26-ounce packages Pomi chopped tomatoes (or 2 28-ounce cans whole San Marzano tomatoes crushed thoroughly by hand)
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh basil