Easy Pasta Sauce Recipe (Ready in 60 Min)

If you've got ripe tomatoes, fresh cream and fresh basil, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 60 minutes of cooking across 6 steps. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 6 steps.

You'll mainly reach for pan and saucepan. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.

How to make it

Score a small cross in the base of each tomato, plunge them into boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer to cold water, slip off the skins and chop the flesh roughly.
Warm the olive oil in a wide pan over medium-low heat and gently cook the finely diced onion for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for a further minute, taking care not to let it brown, then stir in the tomato paste and oregano.
Tip in the chopped tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until thickened and glossy.
Stir the fresh cream through the sauce and warm gently for a minute or two without letting it boil, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
Tear in the fresh basil just before serving and toss the sauce through hot, drained pasta.

You'll use: Pan · Saucepan

Tips & common questions

How long does Easy Pasta Sauce take to make?

About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 10 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.

Can I scale this recipe up or down?

Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.

Is Easy Pasta Sauce vegetarian?

Its ingredients contain no meat or fish, so it's suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheeses for animal rennet if that matters to you.