Sauces, dips & dressings · Italian
Simple tomato pasta sauce
A versatile, rich tomato sauce from canned tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. Use it for pasta, pizza, meatballs and bakes.
- Prep
- 5 mins
- Cook
- 30 mins
- Total
- 35 mins
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Budget
Recipe: Simple tomato pasta sauce
Simple tomato pasta sauce
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 cans chopped or plum tomatoes, 400g each
- 1 tsp sugar, optional
- 1 tsp dried oregano, or a few basil leaves
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Kitchen kit
- Medium saucepan Search Amazon for heavy based saucepan
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Method
-
Step 1: Soften
Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium-low heat and cook the onion with a pinch of salt for 8–10 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute without browning.
-
Step 2: Simmer
Add the tomatoes (crush plum tomatoes with a spoon), then half-fill one can with water, swirl and add. Add the sugar and oregano. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick and rich.
-
Step 3: Season
Season to taste. Leave chunky or blend smooth. Toss with 400g cooked pasta, loosening with a little pasta water.
Tips
- Plum tomatoes usually have better flavour than chopped.
- A knob of butter stirred in at the end makes it silkier (not vegan).
Storing & reheating
Cool, cover and refrigerate within 2 hours; eat within 2 days. Reheat until steaming hot.
Freezing
Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge or in a pan from frozen.
Variations
- Arrabbiata: add 1/2–1 tsp chilli flakes with the garlic.
- Hidden veg: add a grated carrot and courgette with the onion, then blend.
Allergies: Always check the labels of the ingredients you buy for allergens — our dietary tags are a guide, not a guarantee.
From feeed.co.uk/recipes/tomato-pasta-sauce/ · Checked 17 October 2026
Questions people ask
Why add sugar?
Only if your tomatoes are sharp. Taste first.
Sources & inspiration
Checked 17 October 2026. Written in our own words; we checked proportions, technique and food safety against:
See other recipes that use the same kit on our kitchen kit pages.
