Homemade Pasta Sauce
Rate This Recipe:
Bringing all the cozy Italian flavors with this 15-Minute Homemade Pasta Sauce 🍝—a simple, fresh, and absolutely delicious recipe that tastes straight out of a Tuscan kitchen. Using San Marzano tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil, this classic marinara sauce is rich, vibrant, and the perfect go-to for quick weeknight dinners, easy meal prep, and homemade pasta nights. Whether you’re making spaghetti, penne, or even zoodles, this sauce pairs with everything!
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large saucepan or dutch oven
- wooden spoons or tongs
- mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 24 oz whole, peeled tomatoes I like to use San Marzano
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for serving
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1½ tsp sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic slightly smashed
- 3-4 sprigs fresh basil
- Kosher salt for cooking pasta
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.Kosher salt
- Cook the spaghetti for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.1 lb spaghetti
- While the pasta cooks, pour the tomatoes into a bowl and crush with your hands.24 oz whole, peeled tomatoes
- Place a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Simmer olive oil, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, and sea salt for 1 to 2 minutes.¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 pinch red pepper flakes, 1½ tsp sea salt, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the hand-crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. The longer they simmer, the deeper the flavor.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the sauce along with the reserved pasta water. Gently toss the pasta into the sauce using tongs. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in fresh basil, toss to combine, and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and Parmesan cheese.3-4 sprigs fresh basil, Parmesan cheese
Video
More About This Recipe
Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Pasta Sauce
- Use San Marzano Tomatoes – They have a naturally rich, sweet flavor with low acidity, making them perfect for quick sauces.
- Crush the Tomatoes by Hand – This gives the sauce a rustic, textured feel instead of an overly processed consistency.
- Let the Garlic Infuse the Olive Oil – Cooking garlic in olive oil for just a minute deepens the flavor without burning it.
- Save That Pasta Water! – The starch from the pasta water helps thicken the sauce and coat the noodles beautifully.
- Simmer for Flavor – While this sauce comes together in 15 minutes, letting it simmer longer intensifies the flavor even more.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large Pot for Boiling Pasta – A must for evenly cooked noodles.
- Saucepan or Dutch Oven – To infuse the olive oil and cook the sauce.
- Tongs – For easily tossing the pasta with the sauce.
- Garlic Press or Knife – To lightly smash the garlic for maximum flavor.
- Microplane or Cheese Grater – For fresh Parmesan garnish.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 12gFat: 18gFiber: 5gSugar: 8g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!