Tomato Sauce for Pasta
Cooking pasta sauce may sound technical – tomatoes, olive oil, a few spices, and that’s it. But in reality, there are a few small steps that make the difference between an “okay” sauce and one that truly embraces the pasta, absorbs into it, and makes every bite perfect. Here’s how I like to make it – simple, tasty, and completely homemade.
What you need:
- A wide skillet (preferably with high sides) or a pot.
- Good olive oil or cooking oil
- Crushed tomatoes (one can, or fresh peeled tomatoes grated)
- Tomato paste (1 tablespoon)
- Spices: salt, black pepper, a pinch of sugar
- Optional: dried oregano or basil
- Half a cup of pasta cooking water
- Garlic
- Chopped vegetables to taste – onion, bell pepper, carrot, garlic, etc.
Step 1: Getting Started The first step is to heat the pan, ready to receive the ingredients. You can use olive oil or regular cooking oil (I prefer regular). If you’re adding vegetables like carrot, bell pepper, garlic, etc., now’s the time to add them and let them soften a bit in the oil.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes Once the vegetables have softened and the garlic is fragrant (or if you didn’t add vegetables), it’s time to add the crushed tomatoes (you can use fresh peeled and chopped tomatoes) and the tomato paste. Stir well, bring it to a light boil, and add a little liquid if needed (it’s recommended to use the water in which the pasta was cooked, but regular water works too).
Step 3: Season Add salt and pepper to taste. A little sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, and you’ll need something green – I like dried oregano, sometimes fresh basil if I have it. If you like it spicy, this is the time to add chili flakes. Let the sauce continue to cook, stirring, checking, and making sure there’s enough liquid, so it doesn’t dry out, until you reach the desired sauce consistency.
Step 4: Finishing the Sauce Taste the sauce (be careful, it’s hot), adjust the seasonings as needed, and you have a delicious tomato sauce ready for pasta. I set the sauce aside, and if I’m about to make a tasty pasta dish, now’s the time to start cooking the pasta so I can add it straight from the pot into the sauce.
Bonus Tip: Upgrading Store-bought Sauce If for any reason I’m using store-bought tomato sauce, I can still begin by sautéing vegetables and additions, then add the sauce as in step 2.
Summary: This is a simple tomato sauce for pasta. You can upgrade it in so many ways and with so many additions. It’s recommended to take the base of the sauce and make it your own, letting creativity flow.
Bon Appétit!