Fresh Tomato Sauce with Pasta
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this Fresh Tomato Sauce with Pasta, a vibrant and wholesome recipe that celebrates the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes. Made from scratch in just 40 minutes, this dish combines blanched and peeled tomatoes with aromatic garlic, golden sautéed onions, and a touch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Fresh basil leaves infuse the sauce with a fragrant herbal note, while perfectly al dente spaghetti soaks up every bit of the flavorful goodness. Whether topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or enjoyed as-is, this homemade tomato sauce is a true testament to simplicity and freshness. Perfect for busy evenings or when you want to savor the bounty of the season, this pasta dish is sure to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 large ripe tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 medium garlic cloves
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
- 12 ounces spaghetti or pasta of choice
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- 4 quarts water (for boiling pasta)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt.
Score an 'X' on the bottom of each tomato using a knife. Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath to cool. Peel the skin and roughly chop the tomatoes.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Finely chop the garlic and onion. Add them to the skillet and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet, along with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Chop the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the tomato sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Toss the cooked and drained pasta with the tomato sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1426 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 65.0 g | 83% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.0 g | 90% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 48 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 3330 mg | 145% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 164.6 g | 60% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.8 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 33.5 g | ||
| Protein | 54.6 g | 109% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 846 mg | 65% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 3002 mg | 64% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
