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.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

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)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, taking care not to let the garlic burn.

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the tomato paste, stirring to combine.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add water or vegetable broth, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

After the sauce has simmered, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh basil leaves at the end and cook for 1-2 minutes to release their flavor.

Step 10

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

Serving size	1052 grams (1052.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	564

Total Fat 30.10g	39%
Saturated Fat 4.40g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2200mg	96%
Total Carbohydrate 72.50g	26%
Dietary Fiber 17.70g	63%
Total Sugars 42.70g
Protein 13.70g	27%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 221mg	17%
Iron 8mg	42%
Potassium 2232mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.0%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 47.1%