Perfect Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce

A classic Italian dish that never goes out of style, perfect pasta with homemade tomato sauce is a versatile meal that can be enjoyed as a main course or served over salad greens for a lighter option.

The key to making delicious and authentic-tasting pasta lies in the quality of your ingredients. Fresh tomatoes are the foundation of this recipe, but you'll also need garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and a bit of sugar if necessary. To ensure that all your ingredients come together smoothly, plan to spend approximately 45 minutes preparing and cooking the pasta.

This homemade tomato sauce is simple yet full-bodied, making it ideal for serving with any type of pasta. For this recipe, I recommend using long, al dente strands such as spaghetti or linguine; however, you could also use penne or fusilli. The quantity of ingredients should provide enough sauce to serve four hungry individuals.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds of fresh tomatoes (about 8 medium-sized)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced finely
• 1 cup of olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

To begin preparing your homemade tomato sauce, start by finely chopping the garlic cloves. Next, clean the tomatoes thoroughly under cold running water until all dirt particles are washed off. Once cleaned, slice each tomato into thin wedges and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Instructions

1. Cook your pasta according to package instructions until it reaches an al dente stage (about 8-10 minutes for spaghetti). Drain the noodles thoroughly but reserve about half a cup of cooking water.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat up one cup of olive oil over low heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté gently until fragrant but not browned.
3. Meanwhile, add the sliced tomatoes to the mixing bowl with the reserved pasta water if needed for added moisture. If desired, sprinkle some sugar over the tomatoes; this helps balance any acidity found in fresh produce.
4. Once the garlic has softened slightly, transfer it along with a little bit of cooking oil from the pan into the tomato mixture. Stir well to combine thoroughly. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 20 minutes on low heat while stirring occasionally so that none of it sticks to the bottom of your pot.
5. While the sauce is slowly reducing, rinse and tear basil leaves into small pieces. When time comes to add them to the pan, stir gently just before adding Parmesan cheese.
6. Salt and pepper the pasta generously; taste before deciding whether additional seasoning might be needed since everyone has different preferences regarding spiciness levels.
7. Combine the warm spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce in a large serving bowl. Serve immediately garnished with more freshly chopped basil leaves if desired, and sprinkle Parmesan cheese atop each helping of pasta.

The result will be richly flavored, tender strands of perfectly cooked pasta blanketed by flavorful, aromatic tomatoes brimming with character. This recipe provides a perfect opportunity to explore various herbs and spices available at your local market while experimenting with different cooking techniques like sautéing garlic or making homemade stock.

Homemade tomato sauce enhances any simple meal into something extraordinary. Whether paired alongside grilled chicken breast or served over a bed of mixed greens, this dish promises satisfaction for all palates.