Making a pasta sauce that’s both tasty and good for you can feel like an impossible task. Between reading labels at the grocery store and trying to avoid added sugars and preservatives, finding a reliable sauce recipe that actually tastes good can leave you feeling frustrated and ready to give up.
That’s why this healthy tomato pasta sauce has become my go-to recipe: it’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients, comes together quickly, and tastes way better than anything you’ll find in a jar at the store.
Why You’ll Love This Tomato Sauce
- Quick and simple – With just a handful of ingredients and less than 40 minutes, you can make a fresh sauce that beats any store-bought version.
- Budget-friendly – Using pantry staples like canned tomatoes and basic seasonings, this sauce costs much less than premium jarred options.
- Healthy ingredients – Made with real tomatoes, fresh garlic, and olive oil, this sauce skips the preservatives and added sugars found in commercial versions.
- Meal prep friendly – Make a big batch and freeze portions for quick weeknight dinners – it stays fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Customizable recipe – You can easily adjust the garlic, herbs, and seasonings to match your taste preferences or what you have on hand.
What Kind of Tomatoes Should I Use?
For a pasta sauce that really delivers on flavor, crushed canned tomatoes are actually your best bet – and yes, they’re just as good as fresh ones for sauce-making! San Marzano tomatoes are considered the gold standard for pasta sauce, but any good-quality canned crushed tomatoes will give you great results. When shopping, take a quick look at the ingredient list – you want tomatoes that list only salt, basil, or citric acid as additional ingredients, avoiding ones with extra preservatives or seasonings. If you can’t find crushed tomatoes, whole peeled tomatoes work too – just give them a quick blend or crush them by hand before using. Just remember that regular diced tomatoes aren’t the best choice here, as they’re treated to hold their shape and won’t break down as nicely in your sauce.
Options for Substitutions
This simple sauce recipe can be adapted with several easy swaps:
- Crushed tomatoes: If you can’t find crushed tomatoes, you can use whole peeled tomatoes and blend them, or combine diced tomatoes with tomato sauce. Fresh tomatoes work too – use about 4 pounds, peeled and chopped, but cook the sauce longer to reduce excess liquid.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Regular olive oil works fine here, though you’ll miss some flavor. In a pinch, you could use avocado oil, but avoid oils with strong flavors like coconut oil.
- Italian herbs: No Italian herb blend? Make your own with equal parts dried oregano, basil, and thyme. You can also use just oregano if that’s all you have.
- Fresh basil: If fresh basil isn’t available, use 2 teaspoons dried basil instead. Add it with the other dried herbs rather than at the end.
- White sugar: The sugar balances acidity – you can use honey or maple syrup instead. If your tomatoes are naturally sweet, you might not need any sweetener at all.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making tomato sauce is cooking it at too high a temperature – a gentle simmer is all you need, as high heat can cause the sauce to become bitter and lose its fresh tomato flavor. Another common error is not sautéing the garlic properly; cook it in olive oil over medium heat just until fragrant (about 30-60 seconds), as burnt garlic will give your sauce an unpleasant bitter taste. To achieve the perfect balance of flavors, don’t skip the sugar – it’s essential for cutting through the acidity of the tomatoes, but add it gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-sweetening. For the best texture, resist the urge to rush the cooking process – letting the sauce simmer for at least 30-45 minutes allows the flavors to develop fully and helps achieve that perfect thickness.
What to Serve With Tomato Pasta Sauce?
This homemade tomato sauce is perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta shapes – I particularly like it with spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni which really grab onto the sauce. To make it a complete meal, try adding some protein like Italian-style meatballs, grilled chicken, or sautéed shrimp. A simple side salad with crisp romaine lettuce and a light vinaigrette helps balance out the meal, while some warm garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce left on your plate. If you’re keeping things vegetarian, roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers make excellent additions and complement the sauce’s flavors really well.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This homemade tomato sauce stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to let it cool completely before transferring it to storage containers – this helps prevent any condensation from forming inside.
Freeze: The best part about this sauce? It freezes like a dream! Pour it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags (I like to freeze in portion sizes), and it’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Pro tip: leave a little space at the top of your container since the sauce expands when frozen.
Thaw & Use: When you’re ready to use your frozen sauce, just move it to the fridge the night before and let it thaw naturally. Once thawed, give it a good stir and warm it up in a saucepan over medium heat. You might need to add a splash of water if it’s too thick after freezing.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 23-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 28-40 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 600-700
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 60-70 g
Ingredients
- Two 28 oz tins of crushed tomatoes, preferably with basil and sea salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6-8 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons italian herbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by heating a large pot or skillet on the stove over medium heat.
Add olive oil, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the pot.
Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the garlic becomes soft and fragrant, ensuring you do not burn it by stirring continuously.
Step 2: Prepare the Tomato Sauce
Once the garlic is ready, add crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, and a bit of white sugar to the pot.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir everything together until well combined.
This will begin forming the base of your sauce.
Step 3: Simmer the Sauce
Lower the heat to a low-medium setting and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes.
This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 4: Final Seasoning and Serving
After simmering, taste the sauce and add finishing touches of salt and pepper if needed.
Adjust according to your preference.
Once seasoned to your liking, the sauce is ready to serve.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the sauce with your favorite pasta or incorporate it into other dishes of your choice.
Enjoy your delicious homemade sauce!