Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipe With Crushed Tomatoes (2024)

This 30 minute, easy homemade pasta sauce recipe with crushed tomatoes is so delicious — you’ll want to lick the spoon! Once you learn how to make pasta sauce with a few short cuts, you’ll never buy the jarred version again! Let’s make it…

Why this is the best pasta sauce recipe

• Practical shortcuts! Learn how to make pasta sauce from crushed tomatoes.
• Make ahead. And use it on everything from pasta dishes like spaghetti and stuffed shells, to homemade pizza.
• Better than store-bought sauce.
• Options for both a chunky pasta sauce and smooth pasta sauce.
• Quick recipe. Dump things in a pot, give a stir once in a while, let it simmer, then you’re done!
• Kids love it. My toddler sticks his hand in a bowl of this tomato sauce and licks his fingers clean. Sure, I’d rather he use a spoon, but you get the point – it’s delicious to kids!

Ingredients for homemade pasta sauce

Good news: You probably have all the stuff in your pantry to make this pasta sauce. Here are the ingredients for homemade sauce…

• Crusted tomatoes, San Marzano is the best choice
• Garlic
• Yellow onion
• Olive oil
• Oregano, dried
• Parsley, dried
• Red pepper flakes
• Bay leaf (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Basil, fresh chopped

How to make tomato sauce from crushed tomatoes

Step 1. Add most pasta sauce ingredients to a large pot. Place a large and deep pot on a stove burner and set the temperature to medium-high heat. Add all the homemade pasta sauce ingredients, except the fresh basil, to the pot.

So in to the pot goes the crusted tomatoes, garlic, yellow onion, olive oil, dried oregano, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 2. Simmer sauce. Once the pasta sauce begins to boil, turn the heat down to medium or medium-low. Whichever setting on your burner will reduce the boil to a simmer.

Simmer pasta sauce without a lid on the stove for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (every few minutes).

Step 3. Finish pasta sauce with seasonings and serve. Turn off the burner, remove the bay leaf, and taste test the sauce. Add a little salt and pepper if desired. Cover the sauce with a lid to keep it warm for up to a half hour before serving with fresh basil.

How do you make pasta sauce smooth?

This recipe as directed will make a slightly chunky pasta sauce. Want a smooth tomato sauce? There are a few ways to make it smooth.

1. Use am immersion blender to smooth the crushed tomatoes before making the pasta sauce.
2. Make the tomato sauce from scratch as directed, then use an immersion blender to smooth all ingredients once it cools.
3. Use sieve (mesh strainer) to smooth the crushed tomatoes before making the sauce. With a bowl below, add a cup or two of tomato sauce at a time to the sieve. Push down on the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon to pass the tomato sauce through the sieve.

What else can you add to pasta sauce?

• Spice it up with 2x the crushed red pepper flakes
• Cheese such as asiago or parmesan (add before serving)
• Cooked ground beef – seasoned with Italian herbs
• Salty ingredients, like anchovies and capers
• Italian sausage
• A splash of red wine – start with two tablespoons
• Greek yogurt – add one cup right before serving to make a creamy homemade pasta sauce

FAQ for making pasta sauce at home

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Hey home chefs, connect with me on Instagram @sipbitego to learn about new delicious recipes coming to Sip Bite Go. To make more restaurant style meals at home, see my full recipe collection.

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• Homemade pizza
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• Baked rigatoni
• Homemade pasta