Description
Red sauce pasta is a classic Italian-inspired dish made with a rich tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, olive oil, and herbs. This versatile recipe can be enjoyed as a simple and flavorful red sauce pasta, made creamy with the addition of cream and Parmesan, or baked into a cheesy, golden delight. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or gatherings, it’s a comforting pasta dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
10 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
500 grams tomatoes, pureed
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
2½ cups dried pasta (250 grams)
6 cups water
2 teaspoons salt (for pasta water)
¼ cup cream (for creamy version)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese (for creamy version)
1 teaspoon butter (for baked version)
2 tablespoons cream cheese (for baked version)
1 cup mozzarella cheese (for baked version)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (for baked version)
Instructions
- Chop tomatoes and blend into a smooth puree. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 2-3 minutes until caramelized.
- Add tomato puree, mix well, cover, and cook 8-10 minutes on medium-high heat. Season with sugar and salt. Cook another 5 minutes on low.
- Add oregano, basil, black pepper, and chili flakes. Mix well. Let cool or store if making ahead.
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Toss pasta with prepared red sauce and a splash of pasta water.
- For creamy red sauce pasta: Heat 2 cups of red sauce, stir in cream and Parmesan, then toss pasta and serve hot.
- For cheesy baked red sauce pasta: Heat butter in a pan, add red sauce, stir in cream cheese and mozzarella until melted. Toss pasta, transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake at 200°C for 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Make it spicier by adding extra chili flakes or fresh chili.
- Use different pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni.
- Replace cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
- Add chicken, shrimp, or sausage for a protein boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
