Authentic Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A deeply flavorful tomato sauce simmered for hours with fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil, capturing the essence of an Italian nonna's kitchen. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, blends olive oil, onion, garlic into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 55 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 200 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 can (14 oz) tomato puree, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: If too thick, stir in 1/4 cup water, then simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until glossy and coat the back of a spoon.

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