Ultimate Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
Indulge in this rich and velvety tomato sauce that is perfect for any pasta dish. With a depth of flavor developed from a slow cooking process, this sauce transforms simple ingredients into an elegant meal. The marriage of sun-dried tomatoes, fresh garlic, and aromatic spices creates a luscious sauce that is both comforting and gourmet. This recipe allows for a vegetarian option or the addition of savory Italian sausage for those craving a meatier flavor. Ideal for meal prep, making it 1 to 3 days in advance will enhance the taste, as the flavors meld beautifully in the refrigerator. Whether you choose to enjoy it fresh or let it sit, every bite is bound to impress!
N/A
Servings
550
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1/4 cup (or as needed to cover the bottom of the saucepan)
Onion
1 medium (finely chopped)
Red bell pepper
1 small (seeded and finely chopped)
Sun-dried tomatoes
2-3 tablespoons (finely chopped, packed in oil (can use more))
Garlic
2-3 tablespoons (finely chopped (the more garlic, the better!))
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (or adjust to suit heat level)
Dried basil
1 tablespoon (rubbed between fingers to release flavors)
Tomato paste
2 tablespoons
Crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can
Plum tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (do not drain)
Salt
2 1/2 teaspoons (or to taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup (or more to desired creaminess)
Italian sausage
1 pound (optional, mild or spicy, casings removed)
Instructions
1
In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Ensure there is enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot, adding more if necessary.
2
Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
3
Stir in the chopped garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried basil. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4
Incorporate the tomato paste and stir for another 2 minutes to enhance its flavor.
5
Pour in both the crushed and plum tomatoes, including all their juices. Bring the mixture to a simmer while breaking up the whole tomatoes with a fork.
6
Reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
7
After 30 minutes, uncover the pot and continue to simmer over low heat for an additional 2 hours. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. If the sauce thickens too much, add a little water to maintain the desired consistency.
8
Around the halfway point of cooking, season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
9
Once cooked, you may cool the sauce and refrigerate it for up to 3 days at this stage.
10
At the end of the cooking time, stir in the heavy cream, starting with 1/3 cup, and adjust to your preferred level of creaminess. Stir until heated through.
11
Optional Step: For those adding Italian sausage, brown the sausage meat with the onions, bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes until no longer pink, breaking up the meat into smaller pieces while it cooks. Drain excess fat. Then proceed from step 3 by adding garlic, red pepper flakes, and basil.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
65g
Carbs
6.9g
Protein
5g
Fiber
2.5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce?
It is a rich, velvety, slow-cooked sauce that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant meal featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh garlic, and aromatic spices.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should be simmered for 30 minutes with the lid on and then for an additional 2 hours uncovered.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, making it 1 to 3 days in advance is ideal as the flavors meld beautifully in the refrigerator.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the recipe allows for a vegetarian option by simply omitting the optional Italian sausage.
What kind of meat can be added to the sauce?
The recipe suggests adding one pound of mild or spicy Italian sausage with the casings removed.
How much garlic should I use?
The recipe calls for 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic, noting that more is often better.
What types of canned tomatoes are needed?
You will need one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and one 28-ounce can of plum tomatoes.
Do I need to drain the plum tomatoes?
No, do not drain the plum tomatoes; include all their juices and break them up with a fork during cooking.
When should I add the heavy cream?
The heavy cream should be stirred in at the very end of the cooking process until heated through.
How much heavy cream is recommended?
Start with 1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream and adjust to your preferred level of creaminess.
How do I prevent the sauce from sticking during the long simmer?
You should stir the sauce frequently, especially during the 2-hour uncovered simmering stage.
What should I do if the sauce becomes too thick?
If the sauce thickens too much, you can add a little water to maintain your desired consistency.
How do I prepare the dried basil for the sauce?
The dried basil should be rubbed between your fingers before being added to the pot to help release its flavors.
When is the best time to season the sauce with salt and pepper?
Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper around the halfway point of the cooking time.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt, or you can adjust it to taste.
How do I incorporate the Italian sausage?
Brown the sausage meat with the onions, bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes until no longer pink, then drain the excess fat.
What type of oil is used for the base?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil, or enough to cover the bottom of the pot.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, stirred in for 2 minutes to enhance its flavor.
Is the sauce spicy?
The sauce has a mild kick from 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your heat preference.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 550 calories per serving based on the recipe data.
What is the fat content of the sauce?
The sauce contains 25g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in the sauce?
The sauce provides 6.9g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
The recipe contains 65g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the sauce contain fiber?
Yes, there are 5g of fiber per serving.
What is the sugar content of the sauce?
The sauce contains 2.5g of sugar.
How long do I sauté the initial vegetables?
Cook the onion, red bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes for about 5-6 minutes until softened.
How long should the garlic and spices cook?
Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried basil and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
What type of sun-dried tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Key tags include pasta sauce, creamy tomato sauce, vegetarian option, slow cooked, and meal prep.
How should I prep the onion and bell pepper?
The onion should be finely chopped and the small red bell pepper should be seeded and finely chopped.