Serious Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A meticulously crafted pasta dish where a 3-hour tomato sauce deepens into rich complexity, perfectly balanced with fresh herbs and al dente pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 210 minutes pairs San Marzano tomatoes, Extra-virgin olive oil, medium, finely diced Yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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.

★ 3.8 (11 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving

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Ingredients

28 oz San Marzano tomatoes
3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium, finely diced Yellow onion
1 medium, finely diced Carrot
2, finely diced Celery stalk
4 cloves, minced Garlic
1 tsp Dried oregano
1 tsp Dried basil
1/2 cup Red wine
12 oz spaghetti Pasta
1/4 cup, thinly sliced Fresh basil
1/2 cup, finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
to taste Kosher salt
1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: In a large saucepot over medium heat, warm 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil. Add 1 medium finely diced yellow onion, 1 medium finely diced carrot, and 2 finely diced celery stalks. Sauté for 10 minutes until vegetables are translucent and soft, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pot. Simmer until wine evaporates completely, about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Add 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
Step 5: While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
Step 6: Stir 1/4 cup fresh basil into the sauce. Add drained spaghetti to the saucepot with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats every strand. If too thick, add more reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time.
Step 7: Divide among bowls, top with 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese and additional fresh basil.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Serious Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (30 min prep + 180 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 Serious Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Pasta?

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 san marzano tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Pasta?

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 Serious Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Pasta 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 Serious Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Pasta?

Italian 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.