A healthy and easy 6 ingredient pasta sauce that you can make in less than forty minutes!
Vacation. Over.
Laundry. Never over.
Weather in Chicago. Cold. I’m SO over it.
After four glorious days in sunny and warm Key West, Florida, I’m back home snuggled up with my little dogs and my computer. I missed my dogs, but I didn’t miss my computer. I needed to recharge more than I realized. Once I felt that soft salt air all of my good intentions of working a few hours a day blew away with the remnants of the cold rain that I left behind in Chi town.
And just like that I’m back in the frigid North, wrapped up in a blanket and craving a steaming plate of pasta with my healthy and easy six ingredient homemade marinara sauce.
This is a recipe that I started making when I was in my twenties and realized that pasta sauce that came in a jar wasn’t filled with simple ingredients that were good for you. They had a ton of oil, salt, sugar, and preservatives, and over the long term, that wasn’t going to do if I wanted to stay healthy. So I started making my own sauce, and it was so easy.
You can make this fresh vegan pasta sauce with basil in less than 40 minutes. What else are you going to do while you wait for the pasta water to boil?
What you’ll need to make homemade six ingredient pasta sauce
Olive oil
Onion
Chopped tomatoes
Garlic
Italian Seasoning
Fresh basil
You can also add sea salt, black pepper, sugar, red wine, and pepper flakes like I do, but all of those are optional. Just know, if you do skip them, the sauce won’t taste exactly like I make it, but it will still be delicious.
Once you gather the ingredients together, mince the garlic first and let it sit for ten minutes while you prepare everything else. This releases the health-promoting alliicin that can only be created by chopping or mincing. Check this out to learn more.
While the garlic is becoming healthier by the minute, finely chop the onion and heat the olive oil or some water in a large sauce pan on medium heat. Add a piece of onion to the pan, if it passes the sizzle test add the rest of the onion and stir to coat the bottom of the pan. Cook it until it’s translucent, then add the garlic and stir it around for a minute or two. Don’t let it brown or it will turn bitter and it will lose its alliicin.
Now you’re ready to add the chopped tomatoes. I like to use Pomi brand because it comes in a box and it just tastes fresher to me, and, you don’t need to worry about BPA.
Stir the tomatoes, onion, and garlic together until they’re combined then add the salt, pepper, sugar, water, wine, and red pepper flakes. Of course, many of the ingredients are optional. If you don’t have wine, you could use a little balsamic vinegar. If you’re watching your salt intake, reduce it or skip it. The same goes for the sugar, pepper and red pepper flakes. Make this your own.
To get the freshest flavor from the chopped basil, stir it into the sauce a few minutes before serving.
My kids grew up on this sauce and they love it, and their friends love it too. When my daughter went away to college and got her first apartment she made it for her friends, and they loved it. Even better, some of the neighborhood kids who used to ask if they could eat dinner with us when they smelled the sauce cooking emailed me for the recipe once they were on their own. It’s so easy and delicious. And let’s not forget, it’s a heck of a lot better for you than the crappy jarred stuff.
If you don’t eat it all you can store it in a jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to two months. If you want to make a huge batch and save some for later just double the recipe.
For similar recipes click on the photos below.
Tell me:
Have you ever been to Key West? Did you love it?
Where’s your favorite vacation spot?
Did you grow up on jarred sauce like I did?
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Healthy and Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- stove
- Sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil you can use a few tablespoons of water if you don’t cook with oil
- 1 medium white or yellow onion – remove the skin and finely chop
- 2 cloves of garlic- peeled and minced
- 26 ounces container of chopped tomatoes or 8 to 10 medium tomatoes - cored and finely chopped
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ cup of red wine or balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of ground sea salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves – coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Note: You can also add sea salt, black pepper, sugar, red wine, and pepper flakes like I do, but all of those are optional. Just know, if you do skip them, the sauce won’t taste exactly like I make it, but it will still be delicious. You can replace the wine with balsamic vinegar if you don't drink alcohol.
- Heat the olive oil or water on medium heat in a large sauce pan. When the oil is hot (add a piece of onion, if it sizzles it’s ready) add the onion and stir them well to coat with the oil. Cook for about five minutes or until they become translucent.
- Add the garlic and stir well. Cook for one to two minutes. Don’t overcook or it will turn bitter.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, water, wine, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes and stir until everything is evenly combined. Bring the sauce to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. It should be boiling lightly. Simmer for twenty to twenty-five minutes and stir frequently. Be careful not to scorch the bottom of the pan. If the sauce cooks too quickly and becomes too thick, add ¼ of a cup of water to thin it out and turn the heat down even more.
- A few minutes before serving add the chopped basil and stir it into the sauce well.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh or canned tomatoes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as you see fit.
- Omit the pepper flakes if you're not a fan of spicy.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or heat on low heat until warmed through.
Nutrition
Molly Kumar says
Homemade Pasta sauces are the best ! The pictures look gorgeous and I'm bookmarking your recipe to make soon 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Molly! You're absolutely right, homemade is the best. Please let me know what you think about the sauce when you make it.
alisamarie says
This sauce looks divine! I love how rich and chunky it looks. Definitely putting this one o the bucket list. Love the vacation photos, too!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Alisa! Let me know if you try it.
HealthierSteps (@Healthiersteps) says
I just moved to Florida and I'm so excited to go and visit Key West. I pinned your recipe so I can make the sauce when my tomatoes ripen!
Linda Meyer says
Oh, you have to go. The drive is beautiful and the island is so quaint. Very old school, and I loved that. Thanks so much, let me know what you think.
Hauke Fox says
Beautiful vacation photos!! Plus have a truly tasty pasta sauce recipe up your sleeve is worth gold!! Great recipe! 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Howie! Key West is beautiful, and you're so right, a recipe that I can make with my eyes closed is truly priceless.
lalainemanalo says
Wow! That pasta sauce looks so thick and chunky, just the way I like it. Thanks for sharing, I am definitely making it this weekend.
Linda Meyer says
Yay! Please come back and let me know what you think. 🙂
manju says
I love making pasta sauces at home, but pasta is always my quick go-to meal and theres always never enough time to make the sauce from scratch too.
Linda Meyer says
Hi Manju! That's why I like this sauce, it's quick, easy, and so fresh.
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
I've never been to Key West, but it looks like this sauce helped with your transition home. Looks so warm and welcoming!
Linda Meyer says
It was my first time visiting KW and I loved it. Thanks, Kelly!
Casey says
This looks great, Linda! I want to make it and freeze it. Growing up, I always hated pasta but as an adult, I have found an appreciation for it. This recipe looks simple, wholesome, and delicious! Sharing!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you so much, Casey! My son has never liked pasta or pizza, and I always thought he was so strange-haha! What kid doesn't like pizza?! Please let me know what you think if you make it.
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Nothing beats a home-made pasta sauce and this one sounds delicious!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Anjali!
Uma Srinivas says
Looks healthy and comfort food:) The healthy homemade food give us a satisfaction after meal 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Total comfort food. Thank you, Uma!
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
You can't beat homemade pasta sauce. There is absolutely no comparison with store bought varieties. Yours looks so deliciously chunky and I love all that fresh green basil. I had no idea that you should let your garlic sit for a while after chopping. Interesting.
As for vacations, no I have never been to Key West. The only places in the USA I have been are Seattle, Port Angeles and Alaska and my favourite vacation spot is Dubroknik in Croatia. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been and the old walled town is just spectacular. It dates back to the 13th century. I don't think we'll be going there again now we live in Canada though as the flight would be too long!
I love vacations...roll on the next one!
Linda Meyer says
Hi, Melanie! I totally agree, nothing compares to homemade. You've been to some amazing places. Alaska is a dream destination, and I really want to visit Seattle. I've never even thought about visiting Croatia, now I want to go. 🙂
Aimée / Wallflower Girl says
sauce PERFECTION
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Aimee!
Hedi Hearts says
Hearty, healthy and delicious!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Hedi!
Becky says
I love how simple this is!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Becky!
veggiesdontbite says
A good marinara is probably one of my most required recipes to have on hand. I have quite a few on my blog and another in the queue waiting. The best is that everyone puts their own twist on it and they can all taste so different by the smallest tweak. I love them and will have to give this one a try! I just made a giant batch of one of mine for the boys to have ready in the freezer while Joe and I are gone on vacay!
Linda Meyer says
I completely agree. Pasta and a healthy sauce is so quick and easy to make. Have a great vacation! 🙂
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Love Key West, used to make frequent road trips there when we lived in Florida. So sorry the weather is cold, hope it's warming up for you now! And this sauce looks wonderful!
Linda Meyer says
It's such a fun and pretty vacation spot. It's supposed to warm up by the end of the week. Fingers crossed! Thanks, Christine. 🙂
Hafsa says
Wonderful recipe! I will try this soon ! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Hafsa! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Natalie says
I can't believe I've never made homemade sauce with actual fresh basil ? I'm sure it's massively more flavorful that way. I'm glad Florida was fun, I've actually never made it that far down myself haha!
Linda Meyer says
The fresh basil really adds another dimension of flavor, Natalie. You should take a road trip to KW, it has a great vibe, although it's not at all vegan friendly.
Jenn says
Linda, this looks wonderful. I love homemade pasta sauce. So much more flavorful (and of course healthy) than the jarred stuff that, yes, I did grow up on. I have been to Key West once - in high school. I think I liked it, I don't really even remember it all that much. It was a quick side trip as we were really staying in Bonita Springs for the week. Glad you had a great trip!!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Jenn! My mom cooked whole foods for the most part, but she always bought jarred spaghetti sauce. I like homemade so much better, and it's so easy to make. Key West is really cool. The architecture is beautiful, the vibe is cool, and the weather is perfect. The only thing I didn't like was that it's not vegan friendly.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think I do need some sauce to warm me up! We have another cold front this week....ahhhh!
And no...I've never been to Key West...or any vacation destination 😛
Linda Meyer says
You must be getting the cold that we've had the last several days. Today is much nicer. 68 and mostly sunny! Good weather is on its way, hang in there. 🙂