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 developed and reviewed.

A simple, slow-simmered tomato sauce enriched with fresh herbs and garlic, perfect for coating your favorite pasta. This Italian-inspired Super Bowl recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, blends extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, 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 "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: 5 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 90 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

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.

Related recipes