This delicious homemade pasta sauce recipe only requires a few staple ingredients and is super easy to make! Versatile and packed with flavor, this is a pasta sauce recipe that the whole family will love!
For the ultimate Italian experience, pair this homemade sauce with my homemade pasta recipe! Learn how to make homemade pasta here!
Why Make Homemade Pasta Sauce?
There’s no debating that homemade pasta sauce tastes better than store-bought. It’s fresh and delicious, and is made from high-quality, healthy ingredients– like ripe San Marzano or Roma tomatoes, garlic, onion, fresh and dried Italian herbs, olive oil, salt and pepper, and is super easy to make!
Making your own pasta sauce from scratch is simple, healthy, and delicious.
It’s also cost-effective, and you can make a big batch and store it in the freezer for a later date, which is what I love to do!
Pasta Sauce Variations
Make it a meat sauce. Turn this classic tomato sauce into a delicious meat sauce by adding ground beef, sausage, chicken, or turkey!
Add vegetables. Make a veggie pasta sauce by adding zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, chopped kale, asparagus, or any other vegetable you desire into this sauce recipe!
Turn it into pizza sauce. You can easily turn this pasta sauce recipe into the perfect thick pizza sauce by adding in a can of tomato paste!
Make it chunky. My family prefers smooth pasta sauce, but you can make it chunky by blending or processing the sauce on a low setting for a shorter amount of time.
Ingredients
- 6-6&½ lbs of tomatoes (I love san marzano or roma tomatoes for this recipe!)
- 1 bunch of fresh garlic, peeled
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large handful of fresh basil
- 2 tbsp dried italian herb blend (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
How to Make Homemade Pasta Sauce
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Place rinsed tomatoes onto a baking sheet, along with the peeled garlic cloves and chopped onions. Drizzle olive oil on top and sprinkle with dried Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
3. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and the edges begin to caramelize.
4. Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes.
5. Transfer the roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onion to a blender or food processor and add in fresh basil. Blend until smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
If desired, you can strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer for a smoother finish.
6. Use sauce immediately, or allow it to cool before transferring to an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator or freezer!
The sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week, or keep in the freezer for longer storage.
How to Freeze Homemade Sauce
I love batch-making this delicious pasta sauce so I have it on hand for Italian night!
Make sure to allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring into an airtight container, leaving enough room in the container for the sauce to expand as it freezes!
When you’re ready to use your frozen pasta sauce, transfer it in the fridge to thaw overnight before heating for best results.
Homemade Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 6-6&1/2 lbs tomatoes San Marzano or Roma work best!
- 1 bunch fresh garlic peeled
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 handful fresh basil
- 2 tbsp Italian herb blend basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place rinsed tomatoes onto a baking sheet, along with the peeled garlic cloves and chopped onions. Drizzle olive oil on top and sprinkle with dried Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and the edges begin to caramelize.
- Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes.
- Transfer the roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onion to a blender or food processor and add in fresh basil. Blend until smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. If desired, you can strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer for a smoother finish.
- Use sauce immediately, or allow it to cool before transferring to an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator or freezer!
Notes
Want to Learn How to Make More Food Staples From Scratch?
Once you start swapping premade food staples for healthier, homemade alternatives– you won’t ever go back! There is nothing better than creating wholesome meals for your family and friends that are nourishing and delicious! Which is why I created a recipe guide full of healthier, from-scratch versions of your favorite kitchen staples that you and your family will love. Grab a copy today, and fill your kitchen with delicious and simple recipes just like this one!
Did you make my homemade pasta sauce recipe? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with the latest recipes on the blog, check out my recent posts: