Homemade Pasta Sauce

Ah, homemade pasta sauce—there’s something almost magical about it, don’t you think? It’s like a culinary hug, something that instantly warms your heart and fills your home with irresistible aromas. This is a recipe I hold dear, not just for its comforting flavors but also for the stories it holds. I remember making this sauce with my grandmother on lazy Sunday afternoons. She would sing soft Italian lullabies while the sauce bubbled slowly on the stove, inviting us all to gather around and share a feast. Each ingredient is a note in a beautiful symphony, harmonizing to create something truly special.

Why you’ll love this recipe

First off, this sauce is incredibly versatile. You can pair it with your favorite pasta, use it as a base for lasagna, or even spoon it over roasted vegetables for a simple dinner delight. The richness of butter and garlic mingling with the sweetness of tomatoes creates a multi-layered flavor profile that’s downright addictive. And let’s not forget—it’s surprisingly easy! One pot, a handful of ingredients, a little time, and you’re set to impress anyone who sits down at your table.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its ability to be adapted to your preferences. Love it spicy? Toss in some red pepper flakes. Prefer a fresh zing? A splash of lemon juice before serving does wonders. It’s not just about feeding your belly; it’s about feeding your creativity in the kitchen. Plus, this sauce freezes wonderfully, meaning you can have a homemade meal ready in a flash on those busy weeknights. Are you excited yet?

Gather these ingredients

Let’s chat about what you’ll need because high-quality ingredients make all the difference here:

• Olive oil (2 tablespoons): A good olive oil is like liquid gold. It’s the backbone of your sauce, adding richness and depth.

• Yellow onion (1, diced): This needs to be diced finely, as it’ll caramelize beautifully when sautéed, bringing a sweet, fragrant base to the sauce.

• Butter (4 tablespoons): Yes, you read that right! Butter adds a luxurious creaminess that sets this sauce apart. Don’t skip it!

• Garlic (6 cloves, minced): Garlic in this sauce is like the zesty best friend that brightens everything up. Fresh and aromatic, please!

• Italian seasoning (2 tablespoons): This blend of herbs captures the essence of Italian cooking. It’s a timesaver, but feel free to swap in fresh herbs if you have them.

• Garlic powder & onion powder (1 teaspoon each): These powders are flavor bombs, intensifying the garlic and sweet onion notes.

• Tomato paste (6 ounces): Concentrated and packed with tomato flavor, it thickens the sauce and deepens the color.

• Crushed tomatoes (28 ounces) & tomato sauce (29 ounces): Go for quality canned tomatoes—think San Marzano! They’ll infuse your sauce with that sweet, rich tomato flavor.

• Granulated sugar (1 tablespoon): A pinch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully. Trust me, it works!

• Worcestershire sauce (1 teaspoon): This adds a unique umami kick, making your sauce taste so full-bodied.

• Bay leaves (2): Toss these in while simmering for subtle earthiness. Just remember to fish them out before serving!

• Fresh basil (1/4 cup, chopped): Nothing beats the fresh, aromatic pop of basil. It’s the crown jewel of the sauce!

• Kosher salt & fresh cracked pepper: Use generously to season your sauce to perfection.

• Thin spaghetti: This is my go-to, but feel free to use any pasta you adore.

• Grated Parmesan: A sprinkle of this golden cheese at the end elevates the dish; it’s like the cherry on top of a delicious sundae!

Preparing Homemade Pasta Sauce

Let’s get cooking!

1. Start with olive oil: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers. This should take just a minute.

2. Sauté the onion: Add your diced onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 6 minutes until they turn translucent and start to caramelize—don’t rush this; it’s where the flavor develops!

3. Butter and garlic time: Stir in the butter and minced garlic. Toss in your Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until that garlicky aroma fills your kitchen—it’s divine!

4. In comes the tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste, letting it cook for another 2 minutes. This step concentrates the tomato flavor, giving your sauce that lovely depth.

5. Add the crushed tomatoes and sauce: Next, it’s the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce’s time to shine. Stir well and add the sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves. Combine everything until it’s a lovely red tapestry of flavors.

6. Bring it to a simmer: Let it start to bubble away, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover your pot and let the sauce breathe for 30-40 minutes; stir occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more all those flavors meld together.

7. Final touches: Remove the bay leaves, stir in the fresh basil, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Don’t skimp; you want this sauce to sing!

Best way to enjoy it

So, what’s the best part after slaving away over the stove? Serving it up! Grab your cooked thin spaghetti (or whatever pasta you fancy), and toss it gently in the sauce. It’s like a dance party for the flavors! Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan—don’t hold back.

Pair with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad for a delightful balance. You could even crack open a bottle of red wine to elevate the experience. Are you ready for compliments? They’re coming!

Storage and reheating tips

Let’s be real; making this sauce is almost as enjoyable as eating it, and you might not want to devour it all in one go. If you have leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. To reheat, just warm it in a pot on low heat, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.

Better yet, double the batch and freeze half! Use a freezer-safe container, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat just as above.

Helpful cooking tips

A few extra notes from my kitchen to yours:

• Consider roasting your garlic for an even deeper flavor—just wrap whole bulbs in foil, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until buttery soft.

• A splash of balsamic vinegar can add complexity if you like a bit of tang.

• Experiment with the spices! If you happen to have fresh oregano or thyme, toss them in.

• Adjusting the sweetness can really transform the sauce, so taste and tweak as you go.

Creative Twists

Now, if you’re feeling adventurous, here are some scrumptious variations to play with:

• Add protein: Chickens, sausage, or ground beef simmered right with that sauce can make for a hearty meal.

• Spicy kick: Add sliced chili peppers or red pepper flakes to ignite a bit of heat.

• Vegetable delight: Throw in chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for a veggie-packed version.

• Gourmet touch: Swirl in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a creamy tomato sauce that’s as decadent as it gets.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 29 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Thin spaghetti
• Grated Parmesan for serving

Directions to follow

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion and sauté for 6 minutes until translucent.
3. Stir in butter and minced garlic; cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves.
7. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
8. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Remove bay leaves, stir in basil, and season with salt and pepper.
10. Toss with your pasta and serve with Parmesan.

Your questions answered

• What’s the prep time? Only about 15-20 minutes!
• Can I use fresh tomatoes? Absolutely, just be sure to peel and seed them first.
• How do I make it vegetarian? This recipe is naturally vegetarian, but just leave out any meat you might add!
• What if I don’t have Italian seasoning? A mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme will do the trick!
• How spicy can I make it? Adjust to your liking; start with a pinch of red pepper flakes and build from there.

Now that you’ve had a glimpse into the heart of this dish, I truly hope you give it a whirl. Cooking is a journey, after all, so embrace the adventure! Feel free to put your spin on it and share tales of your own culinary escapades. Happy cooking!

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Homemade Pasta Sauce

Cooking Method: Sauteing, Simmering Courses: Dinner, Main Course, Weeknight Recipe Keys: C Comfort Food E Easy F Family Vegetarian Meals W Weeknight

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15-20 mins Cook Time 30-40 mins Total Time 45 mins

Cooking Temp: medium  C Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 10 Calories: 150

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

This homemade pasta sauce is a heartfelt recipe that combines the richness of butter, the aromatic quality of garlic, and the sweetness of tomatoes to create a delightful dish that pairs well with various pastas.

Main Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (A good quality olive oil for richness.)
• 1 yellow onion, diced (Finely diced for sweet, fragrant base.)
• 4 tablespoons butter (Adds creaminess to the sauce.)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (Fresh and aromatic.)
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (Use fresh herbs if available.)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Intensifies garlic flavor.)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder (Adds depth to the onion flavor.)
• 6 ounces tomato paste (Concentrated tomato flavor.)
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (Quality canned tomatoes recommended.)
• 29 ounces tomato sauce (Adds volume and richness.)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (Balances acidity of the tomatoes.)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (Adds umami flavor.)
• 2 bay leaves (For subtle earthiness.)
• ¹⁄₄ cup fresh basil, chopped (Adds fresh flavor at the end.)
• Kosher salt & fresh cracked pepper (To season to taste.)
• thin spaghetti (Your choice of pasta.)
• grated Parmesan (For serving.)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil

   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
   Mark as complete

2. Sauté onion

   Add the diced onion. Sauté for about 6 minutes until they are translucent and start caramelizing.
   Mark as complete

3. Add butter and garlic

   Stir in the butter and minced garlic. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
   Mark as complete

4. Incorporate tomato paste

   Stir in the tomato paste and let cook for another 2 minutes.
   Mark as complete

5. Add tomatoes and spices

   Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce along with sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves. Stir well.
   Mark as complete

6. Bring to simmer

   Let it come to a bubble and then lower to a gentle simmer, covering the pot for 30-40 minutes.
   Stir occasionally.
   Mark as complete

7. Final touches

   Remove bay leaves, stir in fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper.
   Mark as complete

8. Serve

   Toss the cooked thin spaghetti with the sauce and garnish with grated Parmesan.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 150kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 15mg5%

Sodium 350mg15%

Potassium 450mg13%

Total Carbohydrate 15g5%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 5g

Protein 3g6%

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Vitamin A 10 IU

Vitamin C 20 mg

Calcium 5 mg

Iron 5 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

This sauce freezes very well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Keywords: pasta sauce, homemade, Italian, comfort food