• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Rachna cooks logo

  • Home
  • Air fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Recipes
    • Beginner Recipes
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Rice Dishes
    • Meat/Seafood
      • Chicken
      • Fish
      • Prawn | Shrimp
    • Festival
      • Diwali
      • Navratri
    • Pickle
    • Rotis
      • parathas
  • Health & Fitness
    • Health
    • Fitness
  • Contact
  • Others
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Soup
  • Salad
  • Curry
  • Dry vegetable
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Vegetarian

    Healthy Red Sauce Pasta Recipe | Pasta in Marinara Sauce

    Published: Aug 31, 2018 · Modified: Jul 16, 2022 by Rachna ·

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Red sauce pasta recipe is a favourite in my home. I always make the red sauce or marinara sauce from scratch.

    My younger son cannot have enough of it. I make it pretty regularly almost every week.

    Making pasta is very simple. It requires just a few ingredients but the key lies in using excellent quality of ingredients used and perfect cooking of the pasta.

    Pasta in red sauce garnished with basil leaves in a black plate.

    This healthy pasta in red sauce is perfect for kids as well. I sometimes pack it in their lunchbox, and their classmates love them.

    You may also like: Spaghetti with Chicken MeatBalls, Pumpkin Pasta and Spaghetti Aglio e Olio.

    Pasta in tomato sauce close up.

    Stepwise Pictures

    Cook pasta

    It is very important to cook the pasta correctly. Use a good quality pasta brand. Then cook as per instructions on the pack.

    Boil about 6 cups of water in a large pan. Add 2 tbsp. of salt. When it comes to a rolling boil, add the pasta.

    Keep cooking on medium heat till pasta is al dente or is almost cooked but has a bit of bite to it. Drain it and keep aside. 

    Boiled pasta in a colander.

    Also keep a little bit of drained water which can be added to the sauce.

    To make the Red Sauce or Marinara Sauce

    Make the sauce while you are boiling the pasta.

    Take olive oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and saute for a couple of minutes. Don't let them brown.

    Add crushed tomatoes and let it cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.

    Now add your chopped veggies, if using. I add the broccoli florets first as they take longer than the chopped peppers and mushroom (optional). Cook for 2 minutes.

    Now add your tofu or paneer cubes (optional). Cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and oregano. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning.

    If you are adding wine, add it at this stage. Cook for another 2 minutes.

    Now add the cooked pasta along with a few tbsp. of the boiled liquid.

    Boiled pasta tossed in tomato sauce.

    Mix well. Turn off the heat.

    Garnish with chopped and whole basil leaves and grated cheese along with red chilli flakes (if you like heat).

    Pasta in red sauce in a large wok.

    Your pasta in red sauce is ready. Serve hot. 

    Pasta in red sauce garnished with basil leaves in a black plate.

    Here's the recipe card:

    healthy red sauce pasta

    Red Sauce Pasta Recipe | Pasta in Marinara Sauce

    Rachna Parmar
    This versatile red sauce pasta or pasta in marinara sauce can be made with any combination of veggies and proteins. It is tasty, healthy and can be made within 25 minutes from scratch. Try my recipe.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course, Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 279 kcal
    people

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb. penne or pasta of any shape about 450 gm.

    For the sauce

    • 28 oz. San Marzano tomatoes canned or fresh or use canned whole tomatoes
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 4 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tsp. black pepper coarsely ground fresh (optional)
    • 1 tsp. dry oregano
    • salt to taste
    • 1 tbsp. red or white wine optional
    • 1 cup cottage cheese or paneer optional
    • 1 cup vegetables broccoli, mushroom etc. optional

    To garnish

    • Few Basil leaves
    • 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese grated
    • 1 tsp. red chilli flakes optional

    Instructions
     

    Cook pasta

    • It is very important to cook the pasta correctly. Use a good quality pasta brand. Then cook as per instructions on the pack.
    • Boil about 6 cups of water in a large pan. Add 2 tbsp. of salt. When it comes to a rolling boil, add the pasta.
    • Keep cooking on medium heat till pasta is al dente or is almost cooked but has a bit of bite to it. Drain it and keep aside. 
    • Also keep a little bit of drained water which can be added to the sauce.

    To make the Red Sauce or Marinara Sauce

    • Make the sauce while you are boiling the pasta.
    • Take olive oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and saute for a couple of minutes. Don't let them brown.
    • Add crushed tomatoes and let it cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
    • Now add your chopped veggies, if using. I add the broccoli florets first as they take longer than the chopped peppers and mushroom (optional). Cook for 2 minutes.
    • Now add your tofu or paneer cubes (optional). Cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and oregano. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    • If you are adding wine, add it at this stage. Cook for another 2 minutes.
    • Now add the cooked pasta along with a few tbsp. of the boiled liquid.
    • Mix well. Turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped and whole basil leaves and grated cheese along with red chilli flakes (if you like heat).
    • Your pasta in red sauce is ready. Serve hot. 

    Notes

    1. Adding protein and veggies makes it a one-pot meal. Or you can skip these and pair the pasta with grilled protein and a salad or sauteed veggies on the side.
    2. San Marzano tomatoes are the best to use, but I have used Roma tomatoes as well. They are delicious in this sauce as well as tomato paste for the concentrated taste.
    3. Sometimes, I add a pinch of sugar to balance out the sourness of tomatoes.
    4. If using leftover pasta water, remember that it is heavily salted.
    5. Use good quality olive oil not pomace but extra virgin olive oil. You can drizzle some on top of pasta at the end if you like it.
    6. Adjust heat according to your taste.
    7. You can do away with wine if you are cooking for the kids. I love the flavour of wine in the pasta.
    8. Parmesan works well as a final garnish, but you can use mozzarella as well.
    9. Remember that pasta will not get salted if you forget to salt the boiling water while cooking it. Also always do it al dente and never completely mushy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 11gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 584IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 102mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
    Check out our Food videos Subscribe to our Food channel for recipe videos
    Pasta in tomato sauce in a wok with basil leaves on top.

    Let me know if you try the recipe. I promise you that this Red Sauce Pasta will become a regular feature on your weeknight lunches and dinners.

    If you liked the recipe, I request you to share a star * rating. Thanks.

    More Vegetarian

    • Chilli Cheese Toast
    • Beans Poriyal | Beans Palya (Green Beans Stir Fry with Coconut)
    • Vegetarian Tom Kha Soup
    • Air fryer Peppers

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shailaja V says

      September 03, 2018 at 10:22 am

      Pasta is a favourite at home. I usually make the white sauce but red is an equally appetising one too. I’m also glad that this can be a meal in itself which is pretty ideal.

      Love the colour on the recipe. It looks good.

      Reply
    2. Obsessivemom says

      September 03, 2018 at 10:28 am

      I really have to try this. I've been planning to try pasta for ages. All I've ever made is pasta-bean salad. This recipe sounds good.

      Reply
    3. Vidya Sury says

      September 03, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Vidur loves pasta. I make the red and white sauce from scratch. Initially followed a recipe but now we have our own tweaks that make it our own special. And of course we’re all about the one-dish meal! This recipe looks good! You are right aout cooking the pasta just right.

      Reply
    4. Soumya Prasad says

      September 03, 2018 at 5:47 pm

      I've never liked a red sauce pasta. Somehow it has gotten way too tomatoey for me always. I prefer the white sauce ones and the pesto ones. This recipe might change my perspective about read sauce pasta, let me try making it this weekend.

      Reply
    5. Lata Sunil says

      September 07, 2018 at 10:22 am

      Strangely, I cannot see the recipe at all!!! Is that some bug? I want to try this out as I love Pasta a bit too much.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        September 07, 2018 at 7:31 pm

        Hi Lata, Yes, I noticed the recipe is missing. Perhaps when the transfer happened. Will fix it and ping you.

        Reply
        • Lata Sunil says

          September 07, 2018 at 7:37 pm

          Ok.

          Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 25 Healthy Pasta Recipes For You To Enjoy This Winter - Lifesoever says:
      at

      […] from The Clean Eating Couple#11 Skinny Lasagna Skillet by Rena from Healthy Fitness Meals#12 Red Sauce Pasta by Rachna from Rachna Cooks#13 Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad by Michaela from Ela Vegan#14 Italian […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi and welcome!

    I am Rachna, a Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach. I help you eat healthy. I specialize in healthy recipes especially Air fryer recipes.

    I offer Health and Nutrition Coaching aimed at helping you achieve fat loss, healthy eating habits and more stamina and flexibility.

    More about me →

    HEALTHY RECIPES

    • Air fryer Corn on the Cob
    • Air fryer Mushrooms
    • Air fryer Beet Chips
    • Air fryer Chickpeas
    • Air fryer Zucchini No Breading
    • Air fryer Peanuts

    LATEST RECIPES

    • Indian Carrot Salad
    • Air fryer Popcorn Shrimp
    • Healthy Kala Chana Salad | Black Chickpea Salad
    • Turnip Curry | Shalgam ki Sabzi
    • Air fryer Buffalo Shrimp
    • Air fryer Tempeh
    Hi and welcome!

    I am Rachna, a Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach. I help you eat healthy. I specialize in healthy recipes especially Air fryer recipes.

    I offer Health and Nutrition Coaching aimed at helping you achieve fat loss, healthy eating habits and more stamina and flexibility.

    More about me →

    HEALTHY RECIPES

    • Air fryer Corn on the Cob
    • Air fryer Mushrooms
    • Air fryer Beet Chips
    • Air fryer Chickpeas
    • Air fryer Zucchini No Breading
    • Air fryer Peanuts

    LATEST RECIPES

    • Air fryer Eggs in a Basket
    • Air fryer Portobello Mushrooms
    • Chicken Parmesan in Air fryer
    • Air fryer Poached Eggs
    • Air fryer Egg Bites
    • Air fryer Potato Chips

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    POLICIES

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    NEWSLETTER

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    ABOUT

    • About
    • Contact
    • Media Kit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog earns income from affiliate links and ads.

    Copyright © Rachna cooks 2023