Sautéed Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant tomato sauce infused with fresh herbs and a subtle bitter note, perfect for coating pasta. This international-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs pasta, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 International cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning. Stir in 28 oz diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp chopped oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tsp salt. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped basil and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss for 2 minutes until coated and sauce clings to strands.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sautéed Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce?

International pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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