Name: Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 small yellow onion, chopped; 1 can (28 ounces) San Marzano tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Making a great pasta sauce at home doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. This Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce recipe is packed with rich tomato flavor, fresh herbs, and just the right amount of savory depth. It’s a recipe that transforms basic pantry staples into a soul-warming sauce that’s ready to coat your favorite noodles.

Whether you’re whipping up a weeknight dinner or batch-cooking for the week, this sauce is a total game-changer. It has a beautiful balance of sweetness and acidity and develops a depth of flavor that rivals anything from a jar. Once you taste it, you may never go back to store-bought sauce again.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce

This sauce is the kind of recipe that becomes a staple in your kitchen. It’s simple, reliable, and incredibly versatile. You can keep it vegetarian or load it up with ground meat, toss it with spaghetti or layer it in lasagna, and it always delivers. Plus, the fact that it’s made from scratch makes it feel special every time.

With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a sauce that feels like it simmered all day but comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s comfort food at its finest, and you control every ingredient that goes into it.

What Tomatoes Should I Use for Homemade Pasta Sauce?

For a full-bodied tomato flavor, go with whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes or high-quality canned plum tomatoes. They have a natural sweetness and low acidity, making them ideal for a smooth, rich sauce. If you’re using fresh tomatoes during peak season, be sure to blanch and peel them first, then simmer them down slowly to develop flavor. Crushed tomatoes also work well for a slightly smoother texture.

Ingredients for the Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce

The beauty of this recipe is how simple it is. Each ingredient plays a vital role in building the perfect sauce.

Olive oil: Adds richness and helps infuse the garlic and herbs into the sauce.

Garlic: Gives the sauce its aromatic, slightly spicy base.

Onion: Offers a mellow sweetness and depth of flavor as it sautés.

Canned San Marzano tomatoes: These are the heart of the sauce, bringing bold, sweet, and tangy notes.

Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other ingredients.

Italian seasoning or dried oregano: Lends classic herb notes that are signature to pasta sauces.

Red pepper flakes (optional): For a touch of heat, if you like a little kick.

Fresh basil (optional): Stirred in at the end for brightness and that unmistakable Italian flair.

How To Make the Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Build the Base

Add tomato paste and cook it down for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This caramelizes the paste and enhances its depth.

Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Simmer

Pour in your canned tomatoes (crush them by hand or with a spoon if using whole), then season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring everything to a low boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally and mash any large tomato pieces with your spoon.

Step 4: Blend (Optional)

For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce right in the pot. If you like a chunkier sauce, skip this step.

Step 5: Finish with Basil

Right before serving, stir in chopped fresh basil for a fresh and fragrant finish.

How to Serve and Store This Sauce

This Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce is enough for 4 to 6 servings, depending on how saucy you like your pasta. You can toss it with spaghetti, pour it over stuffed shells, or use it in a baked ziti. It stores beautifully, too.

To store, let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

What to Serve With Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce?

Garlic Bread

Golden, buttery garlic bread is the perfect sidekick for mopping up every last drop of sauce.

Meatballs

Homemade or store-bought meatballs simmered in this sauce take on incredible flavor.

Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons offer a fresh contrast to the warm pasta.

Roasted Vegetables

Toss some zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms on a sheet pan and roast for a hearty veggie side.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Crispy potatoes with a sprinkle of cheese pair surprisingly well with pasta.

Grilled Chicken

Simple grilled chicken breasts served alongside pasta offer a light protein boost.

Caprese Salad

Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil echo the flavors of the sauce in a bright, fresh way.

Want More Pasta Ideas?

If you love this Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce, you’ll want to explore more pasta favorites like:

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Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add meat or keep it plant-based? Did you make it chunky or smooth?

I love seeing how others bring their own twist to homemade sauce. Ask questions, share your tips, or just say hi!

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