Tomato Sauce Pasta Recipe
A simple and flavorful tomato sauce pasta recipe featuring a rich homemade tomato sauce infused with garlic, onion, and herbs, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti or penne. Perfect for a quick and comforting meal ready in just 30 minutes.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta
- 250 g pasta (spaghetti or penne)
Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Cook the Pasta: Boil water in a large pot, add salt, and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté Garlic and Onion: Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion to the pan and cook until fragrant and golden, ensuring they are softened but not burnt to develop the base flavor of the sauce.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook it for about 1 minute to deepen its flavor before adding the crushed tomatoes.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the simmered tomato sauce and toss thoroughly to coat every strand or piece in the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired, serving immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add red chili flakes to the sauce while simmering.
- To make this dish vegan, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- You can substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs; use about 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs instead of 1 teaspoon dried.
- Reserve some pasta water when draining to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- This pasta pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
Keywords: tomato sauce pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta, homemade tomato sauce, quick dinner