A basic tomato sauce takes just seven pantry ingredients and half an hour on the stove. You do not need fancy canned items or hours of simmering to get a rich taste.
Diced onions cook slowly in olive oil until soft, followed by garlic and chili flakes for warmth. Crushed tomatoes thicken into a sauce while your pasta boils.
Saving a bit of pasta water is the real secret here. Adding a splash right before serving helps the sauce stick smoothly to every piece of penne.
Tips & Tricks
- Dice the onion finely so it softens evenly without leaving large crunchy pieces in the sauce.
- Keep an eye on the garlic and chili flakes so they do not burn while frying in the hot oil.
- Scoop out your cooking water right before draining the cooked pasta noodles.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Soften the onion
Warm two tablespoons of olive oil in a wide pan set to medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until it looks clear and soft.
2. Add garlic and tomatoes
Stir in the chili flakes and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until you smell the garlic, then pour in the canned tomatoes. Lower the heat and let it bubble without a lid for 20 minutes.
3. Boil the penne
Fill a deep pot with water, add salt, and get it boiling. Cook the penne pasta until tender with a slight bite according to the package directions. Save half a cup of the cooking water before draining.
4. Combine and serve
Toss the drained pasta directly into the pan of tomato sauce. Stir continuously and pour in a splash of saved pasta water to loosen the mixture as needed. Add salt to taste before serving.
Variations
Herb Addition
Stir freshly chopped basil leaves into the sauce during the last minute of simmering.
Mild Flavor
Cut the chili flakes in half or omit them entirely if cooking for small children.
How to Store Penne With Tomato Sauce
Refrigerator
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze the sauce separately in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm on the stove over medium-low heat with a tablespoon of fresh water to loosen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use diced tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes?
Yes, but crushed tomatoes create a smoother texture. Diced tomatoes will make a chunkier sauce.
Q: Why is my sauce sticking to the bottom of the pan?
Your heat is likely too high. Keep the stove on low so the sauce simmers gently without scorching.
Penne With Tomato Sauce – Simple Garlic Marinara
Make simple penne with tomato sauce using basic ingredients like canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, and red chili flakes. Ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1Soften the onion — Warm two tablespoons of olive oil in a wide pan set to medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until it looks clear and soft.
- 2Add garlic and tomatoes — Stir in the chili flakes and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until you smell the garlic, then pour in the canned tomatoes. Lower the heat and let it bubble without a lid for 20 minutes.
- 3Boil the penne — Fill a deep pot with water, add salt, and get it boiling. Cook the penne pasta until tender with a slight bite according to the package directions. Save half a cup of the cooking water before draining.
- 4Combine and serve — Toss the drained pasta directly into the pan of tomato sauce. Stir continuously and pour in a splash of saved pasta water to loosen the mixture as needed. Add salt to taste before serving.
Questions or cooking notes?
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