When you want something quick and simple for dinner, this Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce stirred through some spaghetti is about as simple (and delicious) 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.
I think that many of us are guilty of over complicating Italian food. 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.
If you are looking for some other pasta recipes to try, then why not try our Leftover Chicken Pasta, Vegetable Pasta Bake, Sausage Pasta Bake or Smoked Salmon Pasta.
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Ingredients needed
- 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.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make tomato pasta sauce - 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.
Why should you try it?
- Super simple sauce with very few ingredient - You can make this passata pasta sauce with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Low in calories - There are just 70 calories a portion
- Healthier than a jar of pasta sauce - Jarred sauce has so many added ingredients. This is a simple sauce, without loads of added sugar and salt.
- Easy to adapt - We have given options for other ingredients to add.
- Freezable - Make extra and freeze for a quick and easy dinner.
Health benefits
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.
Storage
Store: You can store leftovers in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: This freezes really well, but make sure it has fully cooled first. Put in freezer bags and lay them flat in the freezer and they will keep for up to 3 months.
Defrost: You can defrost the bags of tomato pasta sauce in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Add the sauce to a saucepan and heat on low until piping hot.
FAQs
Yes, this pasta sauce is vegan.
As long as you make sure there is no cross contamination, then this can be gluten free.
Yes, you can double the batch and it won't change the cooking time. Just make sure that you have a saucepan big enough for everything.
Yes, you can and then you can keep it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
If you wanted a creamy version of this, then you could stir in a heaped tablespoon of cream cheese before serving.
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Recipe
Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 0.5 onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 250 g passata
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the onion and garlic in a little oil until softened.0.5 onion, 2 garlic cloves
- Add the passata, balsamic vinegar and herbs.2 tablespoon fresh basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 250 g passata, 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 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.
Lynette
I am not a fan of pasta dishes but my family love them. I'll have to try out your recipe and see what they think :)
Claudia
My grandmother is Italian and whenever we go to an Italian restaurant she says the exact same thing. Especially with the pizzas, that have around 6 different toppings on them.
We always buy cirio products too, so I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Josie Hunter
This is a great quick weeknight meal Dannii. I would love more meals like this, as since having my little one I just don't have as much time to cook.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
How delicious! I noticed that from Italy too. The food was so good because it was handmade with simple, high quality ingredients without all the garbage! Great post!
David @ Spiced
I totally agree with you, Dannii! I once heard a chef say that you should buy the best ingredients you can afford when making Italian food. Since Italian usually involves just a couple of ingredients...you really want to make sure that those ingredients taste great. I'm thinking this tomato sauce would taste great...maybe for dinner tonight! :-)
Deborah Nicholas
I love making my own sauces. They taste so much better and it's good to know what goes into it too. Love pasatta as a base!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
When you have good quality ingredients they speak for themselves and there is no need to complicate things. Homemade pasta sauce is always a better choice than the stuff in the jars. Your pasta and tomato sauce looks perfect! You're so lucky to visit so many wonderful places!
[email protected]
Thus sounds so yummy. I try to eat more red sauces than the heavy white cream sauces. Much healthier.
Emily
Damn, why am I reading this on my lunch? Just looking at your photos makes my stomach rumble, it looks seriously scrummy!
cheri
Hi Dannii, I agree, the fewer the ingredients the better. Can't wait to see what else you come up with. Have a great day!
Old Fashioned Susie
Perfecto!! This is the same as the one I make- the simpler the better.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Dannii, how great to be a Cirio blogger ambassador!!! I think I've heard of their great products before! Are they only in the UK or can we find their products here in the states too?
Rebecca
I totally agree with you that good quality ingredients are worth paying for. I must admit though, we usually just get the cheapest tin tomatoes. But like you say, they are such an important ingredient that they should be the best.
I haven't heard of this brand before though, where can I buy it?
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Simple quality ingredients sure are key to stellar Italian food, Dannii! This pasta sauce looks lovely! Love that you didn't over complicate it! Yay to this red sauce! Cheers, doll!
P.s. super jealous of all your travels!!!
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You are so right about the simplicity of their ingredients! I remember when John and I went to Italy a few years ago I was amazed by how simple and delicious some of the meals were.
This sauce looks great! I don't make make spaghetti too often, but I will definitely have to give this a try next time!
Mir
I love the simplicity and goodness of Italian cooking. They know how to do it right. And your sauce looks perfect. I know what I want to eat now!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I love the ease of this sauce, Dannii! I've only made my own sauce once, and that was for lasagna. I love how much simpler this is...sounds delicious, too!
Rhian Westbury
For my pasta sauces I tend to just use chopped tomatoes, passata and then herbs/ spices and it works a treat but this looks like a nice alternative x
Libby
I have so many tomatoes in my garden, I don't know what to do with them all. Do you think this would freeze well if I made a really big batch?
Amanda
You can't beat homemade pasta sauce. My Grandma is Italian and she makes the BEST sauce. She says there is a secret ingredient, which I don't think there is, I think it is pretty similar to this one, but I guess it is just the fact that it is made by Grandma.