A vibrant, fresh, and wonderfully simple tomato basil pasta sauce that comes together quickly yet delivers deep, comforting flavor. Perfect for weeknights or whenever you crave a light, aromatic sauce made from real tomatoes and fresh basil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This sauce is naturally light, fragrant, and incredibly easy to prepare. Fresh tomatoes provide brightness, basil adds a beautiful herbal note, and a touch of butter brings everything together with gentle richness. It cooks in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy days. Serve it over pasta, roasted vegetables, or use it as a base for other dishes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 tablespoon butter
8 small tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1 clove garlic, grated
Directions
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced tomatoes and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and fall apart.
Stir in the basil, olive oil, garlic salt, salt, and black pepper.
Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir slowly until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Pour in the water and mix well to dissolve any flour lumps.
Add the grated garlic, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Make it spicy by adding crushed red pepper flakes.
For a smoother sauce, blend the mixture with an immersion blender before the final simmer.
Add sautéed onions for a sweeter, deeper flavor.
Stir in a splash of cream at the end for a richer, silkier texture.
Replace fresh tomatoes with canned diced tomatoes when out of season.
Storage/Reheating
Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a tablespoon of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
FAQs
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, canned diced tomatoes work well when fresh tomatoes are not available.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Simply scale the ingredients up evenly, and use a larger skillet.
Can I use dried basil?
You can, but fresh basil provides a brighter flavor. Use 1 teaspoon dried basil if substituting.
Is this sauce suitable for vegans?
Replace the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter to make it vegan.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
Simmer a bit longer or add an extra teaspoon of flour mixed with a splash of water.
Can I omit the flour?
Yes, but the sauce will be thinner. To thicken without flour, simmer longer to reduce.
What type of tomatoes work best?
Any ripe, flavorful tomato works well. Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes are especially good.
Can I add vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, you can add sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
What pasta pairs best with this sauce?
Spaghetti, linguine, penne, or any pasta that holds sauce well.
Can I use this sauce for pizza?
Yes, blend it smooth and reduce slightly to thicken before using as pizza sauce.
Conclusion
This homemade tomato basil pasta sauce proves that simple ingredients can create exceptional flavor. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and a few pantry staples come together quickly to form a versatile sauce that elevates any pasta dish. Whether you enjoy it as-is or build upon it with variations, it’s a dependable recipe you’ll return to again and again.
This homemade tomato basil pasta sauce is fresh, light, and full of flavor. Made with real tomatoes, basil, and pantry staples, it’s quick to prepare and perfect for pasta, vegetables, or as a sauce base.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
8 small tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1 clove garlic, grated
Instructions
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add diced tomatoes and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Stir in basil, olive oil, garlic salt, salt, and black pepper.
Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5–7 minutes.
Pour in water and mix to dissolve any flour lumps.
Add grated garlic, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve hot over your favorite pasta or vegetables.
Notes
Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Use an immersion blender for a smoother sauce.
Sauté onions before adding tomatoes for extra sweetness.
Stir in cream at the end for a richer texture.
Canned diced tomatoes can be used when fresh tomatoes aren’t available.
