Herb-Infused Tomato Sauce with Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A rich, herb-laden tomato sauce simmered to perfection, paired with al dente pasta for a comforting dish. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, blends plum tomatoes, onion, garlic cloves 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 450 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.

Ingredients

• 6 plum tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp fresh basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 12 oz pasta

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Dice onions and garlic; set aside. Core and chop tomatoes into 1/4-inch pieces.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions for 5 minutes until translucent.
3. Step 3: Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
4. Step 4: Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Step 5: Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
6. Step 6: Toss pasta with sauce, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen the texture. Garnish with herbs and serve.