Low-Heat Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

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 gently simmered tomato sauce infused with fresh basil and garlic, perfect for coating your favorite pasta. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegan), ready in about 45 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 120 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: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 120 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4, thinly sliced garlic cloves
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté gently for 3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Step 2: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sugar to balance acidity.
Step 3: Simmer the sauce uncovered on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, allowing the residual heat to infuse the sauce with herbal aroma before serving over pasta.