This homemade pasta sauce with canned tomatoes is a celebration of simplicity. Made with pantry staples, it delivers a comforting, flavorful sauce that feels gourmet with minimal effort.

Inspired by the one of my personal favorites, Spaghetti Arrabiiata, this sauce focuses on rich tomato flavors enhanced with garlic, herbs, and olive oil and home canned tomatoes. It's the perfect recipe for weeknights when you crave something cozy yet quick to prepare.
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Why You'll Love Homemade Pasta Sauce
Pantry-friendly: Made entirely with ingredients you likely already have, like canned tomatoes and seasonings.
Quick and easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy evenings.
Budget-friendly: A low-cost way to create a gourmet sauce at home.
Ingredients
- Canned whole tomatoes: I used home canned tomatoes to get the best flavor. However, you can easily buy canned crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes to use in this recipe. Two (28 oz) cans can be substituted.
- Italian seasoning: this is a blend of dried herbs used in making homemade pasta sauce.
- Jalapeno: I love to add a little bit of spicy pepper to my homemade spaghetti sauce recipe, feel free to leave it out if you don't like it.
- Onion: white or yellow onion will work best.
- Fresh garlic cloves and garlic powder: I use a little bit of both!
- Basil and Oregano: I used dried herbs, but fresh basil and oregano can be substituted.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt: flavor enhancer
- Sweetener: (optional) a little sweetener balances out the flavors. Use monk fruit if you are keto, otherwise, granulated sugar or brown sugar will work.
- Tomato paste: this is used to thicken the tomato sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: (optional) adds a little bit of heat to the sauce
- Black pepper: (optional) added for flavor
*See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full instructions.
How To Make Homemade Pasta Sauce

Saute and boil
In a large stockpot over medium heat, saute the onion, garlic, and jalapeno pepper (if using) in the olive oil. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil.

Simmer
Add the seasoning and tomato paste using a wire hand whisk, to incorporate. Bring sauce back to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes

Puree
Remove sauce from the heat and use as desired. To smooth the sauce, once cooled, use an immersion blender or food processor.
Substitutions
- Tomatoes: Use fire-roasted canned tomatoes for a smoky flavor.
- Seasonings: Replace dried basil and oregano with fresh basil and fresh oregano, or try Italian seasoning for a blend of herbs.
- Aromatics: Swap garlic for shallots.
Variations
Creamy Tomato Sauce: Stir in heavy cream or half and half for a rich, velvety texture.
Spicy Marinara: Add or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Veggie-packed: Incorporate finely diced carrots, celery, or bell peppers for a chunky, nutrient-rich sauce.

Storage
Refrigerate: store any unused pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze: can be stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe containers or in quart-sized freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Top Tips for Preparing Homemade Pasta Sauce
- Use quality canned tomatoes: Use your own home canned tomatoes, or if buying, look for San Marzano or organic tomatoes to enhance the flavor.
- Simmer patiently: Let the sauce cook for at least 20 minutes to develop a deeper flavor.
- Taste and adjust: Add sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic, and balance with salt and olive oil
Related Recipes
Serve with..
- Use as the sauce to make a classic Lasagna dinner.
- Use as a pizza sauce on your favorite pizza dough or as a dip for mozzarella cheese sticks.
When you make this homemade pasta sauce recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe

Homemade Pasta Sauce
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Ingredients
- 2 quarts fresh tomatoes
- 1 large jalapeno pepper , diced
- ½ medium onion , diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sweetener (optional)
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large stockpot over medium heat, saute the onion, garlic, and jalapeno pepper (if using) in the olive oil.
- Add the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and sweetener.
- Using a wire hand whisk, incorporate the tomato paste. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened to your preference.
- Remove sauce from the heat and use as desired.
- If desired smooth the sauce once cooled using an immersion blender or food processor.
- Store any unused pasta sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or, freeze up to 3 months in quart-sized freezer bags.
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