Simple 5-Ingredient Tomato Sauce

This simple 5-ingredient tomato sauce is so easy to make and full of fresh flavor. I also love that it can be ready in just about the amount of time that it takes to boil your pasta. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, or to enjoy leisurely on a weekend.

Looking for more simple Italian-American recipes? I’ve got you covered:

• Chicken Cutlets with Burst Cherry Tomatoes & Burrata
• Roasted Tomato Orzo
• Pasta Primavera
• Pasta Alio e Olio

Simple Tomato Sauce Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to pull this quick recipe together:

Extra virgin olive oil: I’m talking about the GOOD SHIT. Since the olive oil makes up a hefty amount of the sauce in this recipe, you’ll want to use some high-quality, full-bodied EVOO. I prefer the Partanna brand, but go with whatever you love, as long as it’s an extra virgin.

Cherry tomatoes: Or grape tomatoes. You can even use bigger varieties if you’re in a pinch, but I prefer the smaller ones for this recipe.

Fresh basil (plus stems): And plenty of it.

Fresh garlic: Slightly crushed. You’ll be pulling these out towards the end of cooking.

Kosher salt: I use Morton’s Kosher Salt.

Red pepper flakes (*optional): For a touch of heat if you’d prefer.

Pasta of choice: I prefer spaghetti for this recipe.

How to Make this Simple Tomato Sauce

Step 1: Start your pasta

Start boiling the water for your pasta.

Step 2: Heat up your oil, basil stems, and garlic

Add the oil to a skillet over medium heat. After a minute or so, add the crushed garlic and a few basil stems. You can also add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes at this time. Maintain the heat so that everything is gently cooking. You don’t want to burn the garlic or basil here.

Step 3: Add the tomatoes (& a pinch of salt!)

Add the tomatoes along with a pinch of salt. Stir so that the tomatoes are coated in oil, and then turn the heat down to low. Cover the pot and let cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are beginning to burst.

Note: At this time, your pasta water likely started boiling. Add the spaghetti and cook a minute shy of al dente and set the spaghetti aside. Reserve about ¼ cup of the pasta water for later.

Step 4: Smash the tomatoes

Once the tomatoes have softened enough, start smashing them with the back of your spoon. This will help form the sauce.

Step 5: Remove the garlic and stems, and add fresh basil

Remove the crushed garlic cloves and basil stems from the sauce. Add plenty of fresh basil. Taste the sauce and add additional salt if needed.

Step 6: Add the spaghetti to the sauce

Add the spaghetti to the sauce and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a touch of the reserved pasta water as necessary.

Step 7: Plate up and enjoy!

Add the spaghetti to a plate, making sure to spoon some of the extra sauce and tomatoes on top. Add a good amount of your favorite freshly grated Italian cheese (I’m partial to Locatelli, but Parm is another delicious option), red pepper flakes, and fresh basil.