I love making this homemade pasta sauce when I am in a pinch and don't have a pre-made jar handy. It's easy to put together, uses canned tomatoes as it's base, and is packed with a ton of flavor.
This pasta sauce has that sweet and spicy profile that I love so much and it takes less than 30 minutes to make. So the next time you need sauce to top some meatballs or even to make a pizza, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try!
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Why This is my Go-To Pasta Sauce
You don't need a special grocery trip for this recipe, made entirely with things already sitting in your cabinet right now, like canned tomatoes and basic dried seasonings.
Ready in 30 minutes. I've made this on nights where I forgot to plan dinner entirely. It's done before anyone notices.
Inexpensive and delicious. It's a budget friendly way to make a flavorful sauce. My family stopped asking for jarred sauce after the first time I made this.
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.
Ingredient 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.
Pasta Sauce 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 Making Homemade Pasta Sauce
I always use my own home canned tomatoes, but if you're buying, San Marzano are worth the extra dollar.
Don't rush the simmer. Twenty minutes is the minimus. The flavor at minute 20 is complete different from minute five.
If it tastes sharp or tinny, a pinch of sugar fixes it fast. Start small, you can always add more.
Serve with..
I love to use this to make my favorite Lasagna dinner or to served with of Chicken Parmesan Meatballs. I have also used this as a sauce over my pizza dough recipe or as a dip for mozzarella cheese sticks.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you are looking for more homemade staples to try, you might enjoy making my Homemade Red Enchilada sauce or Homemade Pizza Sauce. For those interested in preserving fresh ingredients, my Homemade Canning Salsa and Bread and Butter Pickles are excellent pantry-stocking projects that use simple home canned techniques.
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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