Okay, listen up! You know those nights when you’re absolutely starving, the clock is ticking, and the thought of spending an hour slaving over the stove just feels… impossible? Yeah, I live those nights too. But guess what? You don’t have to resort to sad, flavorless jarred stuff! I’m about to let you in on my absolute favorite kitchen hack: this homemade simple pasta sauce. Seriously, it’s a game-changer.

This isn’t some fancy, all-day simmer kind of sauce. Nope. This is the quick, delicious, tastes-like-you-tried-way-harder-than-you-did kind of sauce. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight, a lazy Sunday, or honestly, any time you just want something warm and comforting over a big pile of pasta. I first whipped this up years ago when I was trying to cut down on processed foods, and I was shocked at how good it was with just a few pantry staples. Now, making this homemade simple pasta sauce is my go-to move. It’s just SO easy and so darn good!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Alright, so why should *this* be your new go-to homemade simple pasta sauce? Let me tell you!

It’s ridiculously fast. Seriously, we’re talking dinner on the table in under 30 minutes from start to finish. Faster than ordering takeout, trust me!
Only a few ingredients! You probably have most of these in your pantry right now. No need for a special trip to the store.
Tastes SO much better than a jar. Fresh flavor, no weird additives, just pure deliciousness. You control the seasoning!
Super versatile. It’s the perfect base for adding extra veggies, meat, or just enjoying as is.

Honestly, once you make this homemade simple pasta sauce, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with those dusty jars!

Ingredients for Your Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Okay, let’s gather our troops! The beautiful thing about this homemade simple pasta sauce is how few things you actually need. Grab these from your pantry and fridge:

1 tablespoon of good olive oil
1 medium onion, all chopped up
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced (or more if you’re a garlic fiend like me!)
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes – this is key for that lovely texture
1 teaspoon of dried basil
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
Salt and black pepper – you’ll add this to taste later!

See? Nothing crazy! Just simple stuff that comes together like magic.

Equipment Needed for Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

You won’t need much fancy stuff for this homemade simple pasta sauce, which is another reason I love it so much! Just grab these basics:

A good-sized saucepan (something that can hold 28 ounces of tomatoes comfortably)
A cutting board
A knife for chopping your onion and garlic
A spoon or spatula for stirring

See? Easy peasy!

How to Prepare Your Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Alright, now for the fun part! Making this homemade simple pasta sauce is seriously straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying deliciousness in no time.

Okay, first things first. Get your big saucepan onto the stove over medium heat. Pour in that tablespoon of olive oil and let it get nice and warm. You’ll see it shimmer a little when it’s ready.
Next, carefully add your chopped onion to the hot pan. Give it a good stir and let it cook. You want it to soften up and become a little translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. Don’t rush this part – cooking the onion properly builds a great flavor base for your homemade simple pasta sauce.
Now, toss in your minced garlic. Stir it around with the onions. Garlic cooks super fast, so you only need about 1 minute here, just until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn it – burnt garlic is bitter garlic, and we don’t want that!
Time for the star of the show! Pour in that whole can of crushed tomatoes. Add your dried basil and oregano too. Give everything a good stir to combine it all.
Turn the heat up just a little to bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. You’ll see little bubbles breaking the surface. Once it’s simmering, turn the heat back down to low. This is where the magic happens – let it cook for at least 15 minutes. If you have a little more time, let it simmer for up to 30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the richer and more developed the flavor of your homemade simple pasta sauce will be. It just gets better!
Finally, taste your sauce! Add salt and black pepper until it tastes just right to you. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away, so start with a little and go from there.

And that’s it! Your amazing homemade simple pasta sauce is ready to go. Simple, right?

Tips for Perfecting Your Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Even though this is a *simple* sauce, a few little tricks can make your homemade simple pasta sauce go from great to absolutely amazing. Trust me on these!

Don’t skimp on the simmer time if you can. While 15 minutes is fine, letting it bubble gently for 30 minutes really deepens the flavor. It’s worth the extra few minutes!
Taste and adjust! This is the most important tip. Everyone’s taste buds are different, and canned tomatoes can vary. Taste your sauce before serving and add more salt, pepper, or even a tiny pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are a bit acidic.
If it’s too thick… Add a splash of the pasta water you just cooked your noodles in! That starchy water is liquid gold for sauces, helping it cling beautifully to the pasta.
If it’s too thin… Just let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes. The excess liquid will evaporate, and it will thicken up.

Little things like these make a big difference in your homemade simple pasta sauce!

Variations and Serving Suggestions for Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Okay, one of the best things about this homemade simple pasta sauce is how easily you can make it your own! Want to jazz it up? Here are some ideas:

Add some heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic gives it a lovely little kick.
Veggie boost: Sauté some chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or even zucchini with the onion for extra goodness.
Make it meaty: Brown some ground beef, sausage, or turkey before starting, then drain the fat and continue with the recipe.
Creamy dream: Stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta at the end for a richer sauce.

As for serving? This homemade simple pasta sauce is amazing over literally any pasta shape you love. It’s also fantastic as a base for chicken or eggplant parmesan, or even just dipping crusty bread into!

Storing and Reheating Your Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Got leftovers of this glorious homemade simple pasta sauce? Lucky you! It stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or those even-busier nights.

Just let the sauce cool completely (don’t put hot sauce straight into the fridge!). Pop it into an airtight container and it’ll keep happily in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, this homemade simple pasta sauce freezes like a dream! Just put it in a freezer-safe container or bag, and it’s good for up to 3-4 months. To reheat, just gently warm it in a saucepan on the stove or even zap it in the microwave until piping hot. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce

Got questions about this homemade simple pasta sauce? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are some common things people ask:

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for homemade simple pasta sauce?

You absolutely *can* use fresh tomatoes! Just know it will change the texture a bit, and you’ll need to prep them. You’ll want about 2-2.5 pounds of ripe tomatoes (like Roma or San Marzano), peeled and roughly chopped. They’ll release more liquid, so you might need to simmer the sauce longer to get the right consistency. It’s a different vibe than the crushed tomatoes, but still delicious!

How long does homemade simple pasta sauce last in the refrigerator?

Once it’s cooled down and tucked away in an airtight container, your homemade simple pasta sauce will be perfectly good in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld!

Can I make a larger batch of homemade simple pasta sauce to freeze?

Oh yes, please do! This homemade simple pasta sauce is fantastic for making ahead. Just double or triple the recipe, cook it up, let it cool completely, and portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It freezes beautifully for up to 3-4 months, making future busy weeknights a total breeze. It’s like giving your future self a little gift!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Okay, so I’m not a dietitian, but I know some of you like to have an idea of what’s in your food! Based on the ingredients in this homemade simple pasta sauce recipe, here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional information per serving (that’s about 1/4 of the recipe). Keep in mind this is just an estimate and can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands!

For one serving, you’re looking at around 100 Calories, about 4g of Fat (mostly from the olive oil), roughly 3g of Protein, and about 15g of Carbohydrates (with a nice 4g of Fiber!). Not too shabby for a delicious, comforting sauce!

Amazing Homemade Simple Pasta Sauce in 30 Min

Author: goforecipes.com
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and quick homemade pasta sauce perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, basil, and oregano.
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for a richer flavor.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over your favorite pasta.

Notes

You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
For a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Simmer
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 100
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: pasta sauce, tomato sauce, simple sauce, homemade sauce