Nonna's Pasta Sauce

Transport your taste buds straight to an Italian kitchen with Nonna's Pasta Sauce, a heartwarming recipe brimming with authentic flavors and old-world charm. This rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce is crafted with simple yet vibrant ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and finely grated carrot for natural sweetness. Infused with fragrant dried herbs, fresh basil, and a subtle kick of optional red pepper flakes, this versatile sauce reaches its flavorful peak with a touch of butter for a velvety finish. Perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta or as a base for classic Italian dishes, this family-inspired recipe takes just 15 minutes of prep and rewards you with 90 minutes of slow-cooked perfection. Whether served fresh or stored for later indulgence, Nonna’s Pasta Sauce is the key to transforming your meals into comforting culinary masterpieces.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces canned San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for richness)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 4

Pour in the canned San Marzano tomatoes along with their juices. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to break the tomatoes into smaller pieces.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste, grated carrot, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the pot with a lid, leaving space for steam to escape.

Step 7

Simmer the sauce for 75-90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors deepen. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick during cooking.

Step 8

About 10 minutes before finishing, tear the fresh basil leaves by hand and stir them into the sauce.

Step 9

For extra richness, stir in the unsalted butter just before serving to give the sauce a velvety texture.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or sugar if needed.

Step 11

Serve immediately over your favorite pasta, or let the sauce cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1076.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	899.2

Total Fat 66.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 62.9mg	0%
Sodium 720.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.7g	0%
Total Sugars 48.4g
Protein 11.1g	0%

Vitamin D 18.3IU	0%
Calcium 238.8mg	0%
Iron 5.8mg	0%
Potassium 2076.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.5%

Protein: 4.7%

Carbs: 32.8%