Classic Tomato Sauce for Pasta

Classic Tomato Sauce for Pasta

Making your own pasta sauce is so easy that you'll wonder why you needed the jar. This flavorful red sauce uses canned tomatoes for a quick pasta dish.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion

    finely chopped, about 2 cups

  • 2 medium cloves garlic

    minced

  • 2 cans crushed tomatoes in puree

    28-ounce

  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

    optional

  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
    more to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper
    to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Gather the ingredients.

  2. 2

    Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan, like this one from Amazon, over medium heat. Add 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups), and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Add 2 medium cloves minced garlic and cook until just fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes in puree tomatoes, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, and 1 pinch red pepper flakes, if using. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

  4. 4

    Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 20 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if desired.

  5. 5

    Serve with your favorite pasta, and enjoy.

Classic Tomato Sauce for Pasta

Classic Tomato Sauce for Pasta

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About this Recipe

Tired of store-bought pasta sauce that just doesn't hit the spot? This Classic Tomato Sauce for Pasta brings the vibrant, homemade flavor you crave right to your kitchen, making you wonder why you ever bought a jar.

Why This Classic Tomato Sauce Works

The secret to this flavorful red sauce lies in its straightforward ingredients and the inherent sweetness of quality canned tomatoes. By starting with finely chopped onion and minced garlic, gently cooked in olive oil, you build a fragrant, aromatic foundation. Adding tomato paste intensifies that essential tomato flavor, giving the sauce a rich depth that feels like it simmered all day, but comes together much faster.

What to Expect

Prepare for a truly satisfying tomato sauce that is both robust and beautifully balanced. You'll find a deep red color and a luscious texture, thanks to the crushed tomatoes in puree, which effortlessly coat every strand of pasta. The subtle warmth of dried oregano and basil provides classic Italian-inspired notes, while an optional pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle, welcome kick. It’s a comforting, versatile sauce that tastes like pure authenticity.

Customization & Variations

This simple sauce is a fantastic canvas for your creativity.

  • For a brighter, fresher herbal note, stir in a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley at the very end.
  • If you like a touch of sweetness, a tiny pinch of sugar can be added with the tomatoes to balance their acidity.
  • Want more heat? Simply increase the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.

Serving & Context

This classic tomato sauce is perfect for weeknight dinners, spooned generously over your favorite pasta shape like spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni. It also makes an excellent base for more elaborate dishes, such as lasagna or chicken parmesan, or even as a flavorful dipping sauce for crusty bread.

Frequently Asked Questions