Easy Quick Pasta Sauce Recipe for Perfect Homemade Meals in Minutes
A quick and easy pasta sauce made with simple pantry staples, delivering rich, comforting flavors in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing family dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or fresh basil leaves, chopped, added at the end)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
- A handful of fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat for about 1 minute until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the paste.
- Pour in the 28 ounces of whole peeled tomatoes with their juices. Gently break the tomatoes apart into chunks using a spoon or spatula.
- Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and optional 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth to adjust the sauce thickness.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Just before serving, stir in a handful of fresh chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Caramelize tomato paste to deepen flavor. Simmer low and slow to avoid burnt taste. Adjust thickness with water or broth. Add fresh herbs at the end for vibrant flavor. For smoother sauce, blend with immersion blender carefully. Sauce freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup sauce
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.7
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: pasta sauce, quick pasta sauce, homemade pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, tomato sauce, Italian sauce, weeknight dinner, simple sauce