Rating: 3.56
(159)

Cooked Pasta with Tomato Sauce

June 6, 2024

There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of cooked pasta with tomato sauce. This classic dish, beloved by many across the world, is simple, flavorful, and satisfying. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a hearty meal on a lazy afternoon, pasta with tomato sauce never disappoints. It’s the perfect balance of tender pasta and a savory, tangy sauce that’s sure to please anyone at the table.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. To start, you need a good quality pasta – spaghetti, penne, or fusilli, it’s your choice. The pasta is boiled in salted water until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, firm to the bite but still soft enough to absorb the sauce. This is the base of the dish and where the flavor begins.

For the tomato sauce, nothing beats a homemade sauce made from fresh ingredients. Olive oil is heated in a pan and sautéed with minced garlic until fragrant. Then, fresh or canned tomatoes are added, along with a pinch of salt, a dash of sugar to balance the acidity, and a sprinkle of dried oregano or basil for a touch of Italian flair. The sauce is simmered until it thickens and the flavors meld together, creating a rich, savory, and slightly sweet sauce. If you like a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender or just crush the tomatoes to your liking.

Once the pasta is cooked and drained, it’s tossed in the warm tomato sauce. The sauce clings to the pasta, creating a perfectly balanced bite of savory goodness with each mouthful. For extra flavor, you can finish it with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh basil, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Cooked pasta with tomato sauce is the epitome of comfort food. It’s a versatile, satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as-is or customized with your favorite toppings. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a solo meal, it’s a timeless recipe that never goes out of style.

Cooked Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Cooked Pasta with Tomato Sauce
3.56 from 159 votes
A delicious pasta dish with homemade tomato sauce.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 ounces
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • parmesan cheese for serving, grated
  • Basil leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.
  • Serve the pasta with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 12gFat: 5gFiber: 7g
Calories: 350kcal
Meal Type: Soup
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: pasta, quick meal, tomato
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar Wind Fish says:

    5 stars
    No lie, this turned out great. My boyfriend ate two bowls and asked for the recipe 😂

    1. 5 stars
      Love hearing this! Two bowls is the ultimate compliment 😂 Thanks for sharing!

  2. 1 star
    This is literally just spaghetti with sauce. It’s not gourmet. Sorry, not impressed.

  3. User avatar vinnie.casper23 says:

    3 stars
    I was skeptical about the fuss but ended up enjoying it. It’s a bit bland without meat. Maybe add some sausage? 🤔

  4. User avatar jon.kuvalis1976 says:

    3 stars
    Is it really that simple? I thought tomato sauce was more complicated. 🤔

  5. User avatar alonso.gaylord71 says:

    1 star
    Anyone else forgot to add the salt? It was just pasta with red stuff 😕.

  6. User avatar anitra.nolan says:

    3 stars
    I didn’t have basil so I used mint instead… kinda weird but not bad.

  7. User avatar Lee Bernier says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly but it turned out kinda bland. Maybe more salt next time?

  8. User avatar mathWizard says:

    4 stars
    Yum! So good! I added some red pepper flakes for heat. Really enhanced the flavor!

  9. User avatar Great Fairies says:

    4 stars
    Didn’t have basil, used thyme instead. Still turned out nice! Cooking rules are meant to be bent.

  10. User avatar Chad Orn Sr. says:

    5 stars
    This is a classic! Tastes just like my grandma used to make. 5 stars!

  11. User avatar Draugr Thrall says:

    2 stars
    I followed this recipe exactly and it turned out bland. Maybe too much tomato? Not sure I’ll make it again.

  12. User avatar reita.emmerich says:

    4 stars
    Tried this recipe, but I forgot to add the cheese at the end…oops! Still tasted good!

  13. 5 stars
    Perfect! Just like grandma used to make! 👩‍🍳❤️

  14. 4 stars
    Perfect for busy weeknights! Quick and satisfying.

  15. User avatar dahlia.king31 says:

    5 stars
    This is the best pasta sauce ever! My kids loved it. Will definitely make again.

    1. User avatar Effrafax of Wug says:

      2 stars
      Best pasta sauce? Really? I tried this and it was just okay. Kinda bland for my taste.

    2. User avatar jerilyn.quitzon1981 says:

      5 stars
      I agree! This sauce is a game changer! My family devoured it in minutes.

  16. User avatar Jody Doyle says:

    5 stars
    This is exactly the kind of simple weeknight pasta I love. The sauce tasted way more flavorful than I expected after just 10 minutes simmering.

    1. 3 stars
      Sounds good but 10 minutes seems short to me for a real tomato flavor. I usually simmer longer—like 20-30. Still, I might try it your way with extra basil.

    2. 5 stars
      Yes!! That 10-minute simmer trick is legit. I did garlic + onion like the recipe says and the sauce tasted surprisingly rich for how quick it is.

  17. User avatar glen.hermiston says:

    5 stars
    This was super easy to make and my kids loved it! Will definitely be making again.

    1. 5 stars
      I tried it too! My family loved it! Kids were even asking for seconds. Great recipe!

    2. User avatar gaylene.konopelski says:

      2 stars
      Sounds easy, but I don’t think my kids will eat tomatoes…they’re picky eaters. 😕

  18. User avatar elvis.wyman1963 says:

    4 stars
    4 out of 5! The sauce was great, but I think I overcooked the pasta a little. Next time I’ll watch it better.

  19. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Restaurant-quality pasta right in my kitchen. I can’t believe how easy it was! 10/10!

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! This was super simple and tasted amazing. I added some chili flakes for a kick!

    2. User avatar norah.little says:

      3 stars
      Are you sure it’s restaurant-quality? Looks kinda basic to me. I think a little more spice might help.

  20. 2 stars
    No cheese in the sauce? I only put parmesan on top and it still felt missing. Would maybe add some cheese in the skillet.

  21. User avatar delores.toy1991 says:

    1 star
    Pasta? More like blah-sta! I didn’t like the texture at all.

  22. 2 stars
    Pasta with tom sauce, huh? My grandma makes it better. No offense!

  23. User avatar zofia.hessel2024 says:

    2 stars
    I accidentally used fresh oregano instead of dried and it tasted kinda weird, like too strong. But I’ll try again correctly.

  24. User avatar vern.quigley says:

    1 star
    I don’t think this is real pasta. Where are the gluten-free options?

    1. User avatar cyrus.breitenberg82 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, pasta is pasta! They just make it with wheat, ya know? What’s gluten-free anyway?

    2. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

      4 stars
      I get your point! Gluten-free pasta is definitely gaining popularity. Maybe try chickpea or zucchini noodles next time?

  25. User avatar Eddie the Computer says:

    1 star
    Can I use tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes? I got confused.

    1. User avatar detra.aufderhar54 says:

      5 stars
      Yes, you can use tomato sauce! Just adjust the seasoning a bit since it’s usually more seasoned than crushed tomatoes. Good luck!

  26. User avatar ricardo.lakin62 says:

    5 stars
    This is like what my grandma used to make but without the meat! Nostalgic! So good, thanks!

    1. 2 stars
      Looks good, but I think it needs meat. Without it, isn’t it just plain pasta?

    2. 5 stars
      So glad it brings back memories! It’s amazing how food can connect us to the past. Enjoy!

  27. User avatar larry.schoen says:

    5 stars
    This pasta with tomato sauce is amazing! So simple and delish! I added some red pepper flakes for a kick.

  28. User avatar elden.aufderhar says:

    4 stars
    Turned out great! My kids loved it, and it was quick to make. Will definitely make this again. Thanks!

  29. User avatar basementDweller says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is so easy and delicious! The tomatoes really bring out the flavor. 5 stars from me!

  30. User avatar rusty.doyle says:

    3 stars
    Could you make this in the microwave or nah? Asking for a friend.

  31. User avatar necole.luettgen95 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, it was too bland for me. Maybe add some chili flakes?

  32. 2 stars
    I don’t like tomatoes… so this wasn’t for me. I guess if you like pasta and tomatoes it’d be good?

  33. User avatar clement.hoppe1998 says:

    5 stars
    Just made this for dinner, and it was a hit! Definitely making again. 😍

  34. User avatar tran.gorczany69 says:

    5 stars
    Super simple and honestly tastes like something you’d get at a casual Italian place. The basil + oregano combo is perfect.

  35. User avatar Tristan Reinger says:

    2 stars
    Too much onion for my taste. I guess not everyone likes that, but I could barely taste the tomato.

  36. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    1 star
    Pasta sauce just seems like a can of spaghetti sauce. Not impressed. But I ate it. 😐

  37. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    3 stars
    I dunno, it turned out kinda bland. Maybe add more spices or something?

  38. User avatar lupe.schumm22 says:

    4 stars
    I added chicken and it was bomb! Don’t skip the parmesan! 🍝

  39. User avatar kecia.pollich says:

    3 stars
    I didn’t have basil, used cilantro instead. Tasted weird, lol.

  40. User avatar jake.okeefe60 says:

    3 stars
    I found the sauce too bland. I added some red pepper flakes and it was better.

    1. User avatar carla.macejkovic73 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! The sauce could use a little kick. Red pepper flakes are a great idea!

    2. User avatar freeman.jenkins9 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, I thought the sauce was fine as it is. Maybe you added too much salt?

3.56 from 159 votes
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