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Spaghetti with simple tomato sauce on a plate with a bowl of cheese next to it.

Pasta Sauce with Tomato Puree

This is the quickest and easiest tomato sauce you can make! This family-favorite is a weeknight staple, and relies on velvety pureed tomatoes and a little garlic to bring loads of flavor to spaghetti night.
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Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 43
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
  • 1 28-ounce jar tomato puree, I like Bionature organic strained tomatoes
  • Salt to taste
  • Pinch sugar
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano or basil, optional

Method
 

  1. In a medium or large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the garlic for about 2 minutes until it softens.
  2. Add the tomato puree, salt, and sugar. Bring the sauce to a low boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with oregano or basil if you wish, taste for salt, and add a pinch of pepper.

Notes

  • Add more garlic - I advise doing this if you don't have any garlic-averse diners in the house. I love adding a lot of garlic to sauces and stews because it infuses them with so much extra flavor.
  • Don't skip the sugar - I know it may sound funny to add in sugar to tomato sauce. But a pinch of sugar will also accentuate the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. I also love a little honey instead of sugar, for a more mellow, natural sweetness.
  • Add a bay leaf - Here in Northern California, I'll often pop a backyard bay leaf into a pot of sauce or soup for a pop of earthy flavor. Remember to remove the leaf before serving the sauce.
  • Choose good-quality tomato puree - I love Bionature because it's an organic brand, plus it's delicious. You can use whatever type of tomato puree you like, but that is my choice!