Spicy Red Pasta Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with this bold and flavorful Spicy Red Pasta Sauce, a perfect blend of heat and rich tomato goodness. This easy-to-make sauce combines the aromatic base of sautéed yellow onion and garlic with a fiery kick from red chili flakes and optional crushed red chili peppers. Simmered to perfection with crushed canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and a medley of Italian herbs like dried basil and oregano, this homemade pasta sauce achieves a balanced depth of flavor with just a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar. Ready in just 40 minutes, it pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta, or use it as a zesty topping for pizza or baked casseroles. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for an irresistible finishing touch. Perfect for spice lovers and weeknight cooking, this recipe is your new go-to for a satisfying, versatile, and customizable tomato-based sauce.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 28 ounces crushed red tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red chili peppers (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes, and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the canned crushed red tomatoes and stir well.
Add the tomato paste, granulated sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, ground black pepper, and salt.
If using, stir in the additional crushed red chili peppers for extra spice.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low.
Let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or spices if necessary.
Remove the sauce from heat. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
535 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.6 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3381 mg | 147% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 63.8 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.0 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.2 g | ||
| Protein | 10.6 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 189 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 7.6 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 1932 mg | 41% | |
*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.
