This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
This Easy Pasta Sauce Recipe can be made in just 30 minutes! It is so much better than store-bought and doesn’t take a whole Sunday afternoon. This easy sauce is my go-to for busy weeknights when I want a “cooked all day” flavor without the wait!
This homemade easy pasta sauce is a classic recipe and it is almost as easy as opening a jar of marinara sauce! I constantly find myself using this recipe on pasta recipes, for pizza sauce, to dip breadsticks in, or as a meat sauce! This sauce is thick, savory, and perfectly balanced, making it so much better than anything that comes in a jar.
The secret to getting so much depth in such a short amount of time comes down to two specific pantry staples: chicken stock and honey. Most quick sauces taste thin, but the chicken stock provides a savory base that grounds the acidity of the tomatoes. A touch of honey adds a subtle sweetness that rounds everything out far better than plain white sugar. It’s a simple trick that transforms a basic marinara into a rich, restaurant-quality sauce. My parents have been adding honey to tomato sauce my entire life – it makes a difference!
How to make Easy Pasta Sauce
- Always sauté a diced yellow onion in some extra virgin olive oil and add minced garlic when the onion starts to get translucent. These make your sauce taste like it cooked all day.
- Use good quality Crushed Canned Tomatoes, like San Marzano Tomatoes, a really good brand of plum tomatoes. These will add the perfect tomato flavor.
- For a 30-minute result, canned crushed tomatoes are preferred. They are picked and canned at their peak, providing a consistent texture and flavor that fresh tomatoes often lack unless they are perfectly in season.
- Why use chicken stock in pasta sauce? Chicken stock (or broth) is a professional chef’s secret for adding “umami” to quick-cooking sauces. Tomatoes are naturally acidic, and a short simmer often isn’t enough time to develop a savory profile. The stock adds a layer of richness and body that mimics the breakdown of proteins in a traditional slow-cooked meat sauce, but in a fraction of the time.
- How does honey balance tomato sauce? While many recipes call for granulated sugar to cut the sharp acidity of canned tomatoes, honey offers a more complex flavor profile. Because honey is a natural humectant and has a slightly more floral, mellow sweetness, it integrates into the sauce more smoothly than sugar. This creates a balanced, jammy finish that heightens the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
- I always add salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes! You can also add dried oregano or use fresh herbs, like fresh basil and fresh parsley.
Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions. See below the recipe card for even more information: process shots, variations, FAQ and more.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Expert Tips
- Why cook pasta sauce in a wide skillet? If you are in a rush, reach for a wide skillet instead of a deep Dutch oven. The increased surface area allows for faster evaporation, which means your sauce will thicken and concentrate its flavors much more quickly. A 15-minute simmer in a wide skillet is equivalent to a much longer simmer in a narrow, tall pot.
- Simply swap the chicken stock for a high-quality vegetable stock or even a bit of red wine for a similar depth of flavor for a vegetarian sauce.
- Before you serve it, check for seasoning. If needed, add additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- If you prefer a very thick sauce, add a tablespoon of tomato paste during the sautéing phase with the garlic and onions.
30 Minute Pasta Sauce Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce can (794g) crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounce can (227g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (237ml) chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon (21g) honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large frying pan (3 quart or larger saucepan can also be used). Heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Stir.
- Add the honey and spices to the tomato sauce, stir to combine. Bring to a boil, lower the temperature to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve over pasta.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.
Modify with AI
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Crazy for Crust. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization is strictly prohibited.
Did you try this recipe? Click here to rate the recipe below.
