Red Pasta Sauce

Transform your pasta nights with this rich, homemade Red Pasta Sauce—a versatile and flavorful recipe that’s a must-have in any kitchen! Made with pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic spices, this sauce boasts a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. Sautéed onions and garlic create a fragrant base, while dried oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes add a bold, Italian-inspired touch. Simmered to perfection in just 30 minutes, this vibrant sauce can be blended smooth or left chunky, depending on your preference. Serve it over your favorite pasta, or use it as a robust base for lasagna, baked ziti, or pizza. It's a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing recipe destined to become your go-to pasta sauce!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 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 granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined.

Step 5

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate the spices evenly.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or sugar to balance the flavors to your liking.

Step 8

If a smoother sauce is desired, use an immersion blender directly in the pot to puree the sauce to the desired consistency.

Step 9

Remove the sauce from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley if using.

Step 10

Serve hot over your favorite pasta or use as a base for other dishes like lasagna or baked ziti.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	997.2 grams (997.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	566

Total Fat 30.20g	39%
Saturated Fat 4.40g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3384mg	147%
Total Carbohydrate 73.20g	27%
Dietary Fiber 17.90g	64%
Total Sugars 42.80g
Protein 13.90g	28%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 232mg	18%
Iron 8mg	46%
Potassium 2297mg	49%

*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: 43.8%

Protein: 9.0%

Carbs: 47.2%