This tomato sauce pasta is ready in under 30 minutes and is a fabulous family-friendly vegetarian meal.
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I am sharing a classic tomato sauce pasta recipe, or as I like to call it, pasta in red sauce. It is the ultimate definition of comfort food. So easy to make, tastes delicious, and is highly customizable. In fact, you can make it in an instant pot or Indian pressure cooker also.
From shrimp and chicken to beef and vegetables, you can add ingredients of your choice to make a delicious bowl of red sauce pasta just the way you like.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Tomato sauce: I have used homemade marinara sauce flavoured with garlic, onion, and basil for this pasta recipe. But arabiatta, tomato basil, or any other variety of tomato sauce works well for this pasta recipe. A delicious, multi-purpose pizza cum pasta sauce adds deep flavour to the humble pasta.
- Penne pasta or spaghetti perfectly fits the robust red sauce. I love how sauce clings within the tubes of penne pasta, making each bite full of flavours.
- Vegetables: From mushrooms, peppers, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, green peas, to green leafy vegetables, you can add any vegetables.
- Fresh Basil adds so much life to the pasta.
- Cheese: I prefer parmesan, cheddar or mozzarella to sprinkle on my red sauce pasta. For a vegan pasta dish, skip dairy-based cheese and use nutritional or vegan cheese instead.
How To Boil Pasta Perfectly
To cook pasta perfectly you need – a large saucepan or pot, water, salt, tongs, and a metal colander.
- Step 1) Boil water in a large saucepan. If you are using 1 cup of pasta, add at least 6 cups of water. Season the water generously with salt. This way, you will always end up with well-seasoned pasta and not a bland one.
- Step 2) Once the water starts boiling vigorously, add pasta and stir so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Don’t break the pasta; it will soften up within 30 seconds.
- Step 3) Test the pasta by tasting it to check for doneness. Pasta cooked properly should be al dente—a little chewy. Or cook it for a little longer time if you prefer over-cooked pasta.
- Reserve some of the starchy boiled pasta water to flavour the sauce.
- Step 4) Drain cooked pasta in a metal colander. If serving hot, add to the sauce right away. If you’re making a pasta salad, run under cold water to stop the cooking.
Watch Tomato Sauce Pasta Video
Serving Suggestion
Tomato Sauce Pasta is a fulfilling main course dish in itself. A few of my favourite side dishes to serve with it are:
- warm bread such as focaccia or garlic bread
- creamy mushroom soup
- roasted potatoes
- green leafy salad like caesar or Greek.
Are you a pasta lover? Then must try these vegetarian pasta recipes – Garlic Mushroom Pasta, Easy Cherry Tomato Pasta, or the Basil Pesto Pasta.
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Classic Tomato Sauce Pasta Recipe
Recipe Video. Tomato Sauce Pasta is a classic pasta recipe bursting with flavors of homemade tomato sauce. learn how to make red sauce pasta in a few simple steps.
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Servings: 2 adults
Calories: 383kcal
- Saucepan
- Stir Fry Pan
Ingredients
- 200 gram penne pasta
- 2 Cup tomato sauce/marinara sauce (see recipe here)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- ½ Cup finely chopped zucchini
- ½ Cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- Salt to taste
- 4 – 5 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ Cup sliced black olives
- ¼ Cup cherry tomato, cut into halves
- ¼ Cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the homemade tomato sauce (See how to prepare pizza/pasta sauce at home).
- Next, boil the pasta in salted water till al-dente or cooked as per your liking. Drain water from the boiled pasta and transfer it to a colander. Reserve a cup of the pasta water to flavor the sauce later.
- In a non-stick stir fry pan heat a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir fry zucchini and bell pepper till it for 3 – 5 minutes. Season with salt. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Transfer the tomato sauce to a pan. Turn on the heat. Add the boiled pasta along with the stir-fry vegetables and stir to combine. Add oregano and red chili flakes.
- Cook on a medium flame for 3 – 5 minutes for the pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce while stirring the pasta occasionally in between. Adjust the consistency of the sauce by using reserved pasta water.
- Before serving the pasta, add fresh basil leaves, olives, cherry tomato, extra virgin olive oil, and grated cheese.
- Serve tomato sauce pasta warm with toasted garlic bread on the side.
Recipe Notes:
- Tomato Sauce for the pasta can be prepared a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Watch my video of homemade tomato sauce.
- You can use penne, spaghetti, or any other shell-shaped pasta for the tomato sauce.
- After adding cheese you can bake the pasta as well for 5 – 10 minutes at 180 degrees C, for a crusty, cheesy texture.
- If black olives are not available use green olives.
Nutrition
Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 1761mg | Potassium: 1075mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2946IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 5mg
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating. This helps us grow and reach more food lovers like you.
pallavi says
wow….it looks nice and yummy
Preeti Ahuja says
Tried tangy pasta at home..& really tasted good. Couldn’t believe i made it for the first time ever! The color of the pasta dint come out so well..as red as urs..coz of the not-so-red tomatoes..n i guess a instead of two onions…should have put one or may be one and a half..rest was all good.. thanks..would try making the other pasta soon…
Rajender Mohata says
Its amazing …pulkit couldnt believe that i made it at home …for me its d best dish if my son likes it..
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I definitely am craving a hearty tomato based pasta like this right now. Looks incredible.
Hina Gujral says
We are so glad that you like the recipe 🙂
Mark says
Great recipe. We love simple, Italian food like this as there is never any need to over-complicate with fancy sauces or ingredients. Great job!
Hina Gujral says
Mark even I believe that the secret mantra of a tasty dish is the fresh, natural ingredients. Cheers!
Jayalakshmi Siva says
Looking v colourful and ????
Hina Gujral says
thank you so much! Please do try the recipe.