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A white bowl of tagliatelle pasta topped with a simple pasta sauce recipe and basil sits with a fork inside. Surrounding the bowl are slices of bread, parmesan, a garlic clove, a blue napkin, and fresh basil leaves.
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Simple Pasta Sauce Recipe

Simple Pasta Sauce Recipe fans, this fresh and flavorful version is made with juicy cherry tomatoes—half gently crushed for a naturally sweet, rustic texture.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword dinner ideas, easy dinner recipe, homemade sauce, homemade spaghtetti recipe, Italian pasta, pasta recipe, quick dinners, simpe recipe, simple pasta sauce
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 352kcal
Author Janine Waite

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1½ lbs cherry tomatoes slice in half
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes can add more or none at all
  • 10 leaves fresh basil
  • 1 lb fettucine noodles
  • Parmesan cheese Optional. sprinkle on pasta before eating.

Instructions

  • Pour the extra virgin olive oil into a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until warm and shimmering.
  • Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute—just until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn. Note that I use this wonderful mincing tool that is perfect for mincing garlic. It’s my favorite garlic tool since it makes using fresh garlic so easy to prep.
  • Stir in the cherry tomatoes and salt. Bring everything to a gentle boil, giving it a good stir.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally as the tomatoes soften and release their juices, creating a light, rustic sauce.
  • Add the fresh basil and cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until the basil wilts and infuses the sauce with flavor. To chiffonade basil, stack a few fresh basil leaves, roll them tightly into a little bundle (like a cigar), and then slice thinly across the roll. This creates soft, ribbon-like strips that look pretty and release more flavor into your dish.
  • Toss the sauce with al dente fettuccine and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a few extra basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 898IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg