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.
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. You may also try this authentic bolognese sauce and cream cheese pasta.
This simple shrimp scampi is also a delicious meal that you can try.
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.
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.
You can also try this healthy white wine sauce for your pasta.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Red Sauce Pasta Recipe | Pasta in Marinara Sauce
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
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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
Nutrition
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.
Shailaja V says
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.
Obsessivemom says
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.
Vidya Sury says
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.
Soumya Prasad says
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.
Lata Sunil says
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.
Rachna says
Hi Lata, Yes, I noticed the recipe is missing. Perhaps when the transfer happened. Will fix it and ping you.
Lata Sunil says
Ok.