5 Ingredient Pasta Sauce

5 Ingredient Pasta Sauce is a super simple tomato based sauce that is easy to make! The sauce starts with a high quality can of whole peeled tomatoes. The flavor is enhanced with sauteed garlic and onion and is balanced with a little sugar. This 5 Ingredient Pasta Sauce is perfect served over pasta or wherever you would use a traditional marinara sauce.

This is a chunkier tomato sauce, which is so delicious. If you like a smoother sauce you can use an immersion blender or a blender to puree the sauce so it is silky smooth.

Ingredient Notes

Onion- Use a white or yellow onion for this sauce. Make sure you mince the tomato really well so there are no large chunks of onion.

Garlic- We recommend starting with 3-4 garlic cloves in this sauce, add more as your heart desires!

Sugar- This may seem like a strange ingredient to add, especially when there are only 5 ingredients. But, the sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes and brings out their natural sweetness.

Dried Basil- This adds another layer of flavor to your sauce. Place the basil in the palm of your hand and crush it with your other hand. This releases the oils in the herb and makes it a little stronger.

Flavor Troubleshooting

Depending on the tomato brand that you buy and possibly the time of year you buy them, the tomatoes might be sweeter or tangier. Before serving taste the sauce to make sure it is just how you like it! Here are some ways to adjust the seasonings:

1. Sauce is too tangy or acidic- add a little more sugar, stir it in and give it another taste. Add more sugar as needed. If you don’t want to add more sugar I have also heard (haven’t tested) you can add some baking soda to balance acidity.
2. Sauce is too sweet- you can add a little more kosher salt or a splash of vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
3. Sauce needs more flavor- try adding a pinch more of kosher salt. If that isn’t it try adding a minced raw garlic clove and another pinch of dried basil.

5 Ingredient Pasta Sauce Recipe

A super simple tomato sauce that is made with just 5 ingredients, starting with a quality can of whole peeled tomatoes.

5 from 1 rating

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Author: Susie W

Disclaimer

5 Ingredient Recipes do not include water, oil, kosher salt, or pepper in the count as most kitchens have these items stocked.

Ingredients

• 28 oz canned peeled whole tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves chopped
• ½ cup yellow or white onion minced
• 2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon Sugar

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• In a pot or large skillet over medium heat add 1-2 tablespoon oil. Once hot add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes.
  4 garlic cloves, ½ cup yellow or white onion
  
• Sprinkle in the sugar and basil, saute for another 1 minute.
  2 teaspoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon Sugar
  
• Pour in the can of whole peeled tomatoes. Using a "potato masher" or wooden spoon smash up the whole tomatoes into bite sized pieces. Be careful because the juice will squirt out of the tomatoes!
  28 oz canned peeled whole tomatoes
  
• Simmer, stirring occasionally, over medium low heat for about 25 minutes.
  
• Taste the sauce and season with kosher salt and pepper as needed.
• Let cool for a few minutes before eating.
  
• This is a "chunkier" tomato sauce. If you like it smoother, pour the cooled sauce in a blender or use an immersion blender to make it silky smooth.
• Great served tossed with pasta!

Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below! Jump To The Comments!