When you want something quick and simple for dinner, this Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce stirred through some spaghetti is about as simple as it gets. No need for any extra ingredients, although a little parmesan and black pepper on top goes a long way. A herby passata pasta sauce with a splash of balsamic vinegar that freezes well too.
One of the things I have learned from my trips to Italy is that everyone outside of Italy really over complicates Italian food, and I am definitely guilty of this too.
You only have to look at how many toppings we put on our pizza, or how many different ingredients we add to our pasta dishes to see this. In Italy, their food tends to be much more simple, and I think it is tastier because of it.
We have kept this pasta sauce really simple with just a good quality passata, some fresh and dried herbs, garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar.
There are plenty of other ingredients you could add to it, like vegetables, or meat, but if you want something quick and simple then this is a great base.
Jump to:
Why should you try it?
- Super simple sauce with very few ingredients
- Just 70 calories a portion
- Healthier than a jar of pasta sauce
- Easy to adapt and add other ingredients
- Can be frozen for a quick and easy dinner.
What you will need
- Passata - A good quality passata is definitely required for this recipe. Cheaper ones can be a bit watery and tasteless. As this is a tomato sauce, you really want to taste the tomatoes.
- Onion and garlic - The base of the sauce. Use shallots if you would like a little sweeter taste.
- Basil and oregano - For that authentic Italian flavour.
- Balsamic Vinegar - Gives a lovely sweetness to the sauce and brings all the flavours together.
Step by step
One: Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the onion and garlic. Gently cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Two: Add the passata, herbs and balsamic vinegar and season.
Three: Stir and simmer for 10 minutes.
Four: Stir through cooked spaghetti and add parmesan.
Watch our web story for a quick how-to of making this Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce.
It this healthy?
This is an easy recipe, but of course it would be easier to just open a jar of store bought sauce. But, next time you are in the supermarket, take a look at the ingredients of some of those pasta sauces. Some (not all - there are some great options out there now) contain so much salt, sugar and unnecessary ingredients.
Making your own pasta sauce means you can control exactly what goes in to it and you can use just a pinch of salt to season it. The splash of balsamic gives it a little sweetness too.
What is passata?
Passata (or tomato puree as it is called in the US), is strained tomatoes (liquid tomato puree). It will come in a carton or tall glass jar and it is a store cupboard essential in our opinion, as it is the base of so many sauces that we make.
Passata is an uncooked tomato purée that has been strained of seeds and skins. If you can't find any passata, then an alternative would be to blend up a tin of tomatoes and then pass it through a sieve.
FAQs
This Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce is perfect for batch cooking. Triple the recipe and then freeze it in portions. Then all you need to do it get it out the night before to defrost and heat it through some cooked pasta (or use it as a pizza base sauce) for a quick week night meal.
Extra tips
- You can use this simply stirred through pasta, as a spaghetti bolognese sauce or as a pizza base sauce.
- It freezes really well, so feel free to triple the recipe and batch cook it.
- This is a simple sauce, but you can use it as a base and add vegetables or meat to it. Cooking times will vary though.
- This is a vegan sauce, but some parmesan or vegan alternative, is really nice sprinkled on top after cooking.
More sauce recipes
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Recipe
Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 0.5 onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 250 g passata
- 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the onion and garlic in a little oil until softened.
- Add the passata sauce and herbs.
- Stir and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir through cooked spaghetti and top with parmesan.
Notes
- You can use this simply stirred through pasta, as a spaghetti bolognese sauce or as a pizza base sauce.
- It freezes really well, so feel free to triple the recipe and batch cook it.
- This is a simple sauce, but you can use it as a base and add vegetables or meat to it. Cooking times will vary though.
- This is a vegan sauce, but some parmesan or vegan alternative, is really nice sprinkled on top after cooking.
lyn moore
I am barely ever on internet, was wondering if there's a substitute for the balsamic as I only have white vinegar or Apple cider vingegar, dien to try this, it looks amazing thank u.
Dannii
I wouldn't use any other vinegar. You can just leave it out if you don't have it.
Kay
So quick easy and tasty! Will never buy jarred pasta sauce again!
Helen
This looks great! Simple and easy - perfect!
Anjali
This really is the easiest pasta sauce recipe, and it tastes so much more rich and flavorful than typical jarred pasta sauces! So worth it to make it at home!
Michelle
You can't beat a good homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner and the kids love it.
Jeannette
You can never go wrong with tomato pasta and this one's touch of balsamic vinegar is such a great idea! This is perfect for busy weeknights :D
Jacqueline Debono
You are so right that people often over complicate Italian recipes! Many popular dishes here in Italy are super simple. It's the quality and the combination of ingredients that make them so good. Passata is a staple here and many Italians make their own. It's practically a summer ritual! However, homemade passata is usually cooked. Your sauce looks delicious. Love the idea of adding balsamic. Have to try it!
Helen
I love simple sauces and this looks great! Perfect comfort food that you can whip up really easily. Thanks!
Daniela
I had some very hungry kiddos and then I noticed I had bought the wrong sauce: passata. I had never heard of it! Quickly looked for a recipe, and yours showed up. And just like that, everybody ate two full plates. Such a delicious sauce! I promised my son to make it again. Thank you!
Dannii
So glad you all enjoyed it. Passata makes the best pasta sauce!
Kolaylezzet
Easy, practical and delicious pasta souce...Thanks...
Dannii
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming back to let us know!
Veronica
This is the only recipe I use for tomato pasta sauce, it's so simple yet so, so good. Thank you for keeping it simple and clear! Love your blog
Dannii
That's so great to hear. We try to keep all our recipes as simple as possible, so I am glad that comes across :)
Mary
Loved it! I think I put a bit too much Oregon but it’s delicious all the same and super fast thanks :)
Mandy
Absolutely delicious with linguine!Thanks for the recipe its perfect:)
Dannii
So glad you enjoyed it!
Scarlet
Quick and easy. That's my kind of tomato sauce! Yum.
Emily
Love a good pasta sauce, thanks for all the tips!
Anita
This tomato sauce is lovely and so much better than any store bought version. :)
Toni
This was really amazing!! Quickly became a staple at my kitchen!