Real Pasta Sauce
Discover the ultimate flavor-packed "Real Pasta Sauce," a homemade masterpiece that elevates any pasta dish. Crafted with pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a medley of herbs, this rich sauce strikes the perfect balance of savory, slightly sweet, and aromatic. Finely sautéed onions and garlic form a fragrant base, while hints of oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes add layers of Italian-inspired zest. Simmered to perfection, this versatile sauce is easy to customize with vegetable broth for a thinner texture or more seasoning to suit your taste. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping, it’s ready in under an hour and freezes beautifully—making it a must-have recipe for every pasta lover.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper
- 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves, torn
- 0.25 cups Water or vegetable broth (optional for thinning)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, taking care not to let the garlic burn.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the tomato paste, stirring to combine.
Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly.
Lower the heat to a simmer and allow the sauce to cook for 30-40 minutes, partially covered. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add water or vegetable broth, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
After the sauce has simmered, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
Stir in the fresh basil leaves at the end and cook for 1-2 minutes to release their flavor.
Serve immediately over your favorite pasta, or allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
564 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.1 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2200 mg | 96% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 72.5 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.7 g | 63% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.7 g | ||
| Protein | 13.7 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 221 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 7.5 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 2232 mg | 47% | |
*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.
