Classic Italian Herb Tomato Sauce for Pasta

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 drafted and published.

A simple, slow-simmered tomato sauce enriched with fresh herbs and garlic, perfect for coating your favorite pasta. This Italian Super Bowl recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, blends extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, and canned crushed tomatoes 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 90 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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: 5 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  2. Step 2: Carefully pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine with garlic oil.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using), and 1/2 tsp sugar. Stir well.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and simmer gently uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 10 torn fresh basil leaves. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving over cooked pasta.

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