Classic Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

When it comes to comfort food, nothing quite compares to a big plate of Classic Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce. It's a go-to in our house because it's so simple yet full of flavor.

With pantry staples like canned crushed tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time-perfect for those busy weeknights or laid-back weekend dinners.

What makes this dish even better is how everything comes together: tomatoes simmer until rich and flavorful, a pinch of red pepper adds just the right amount of heat, and fresh basil ties it all together. Paired with some garlic bread, it's a meal that even the pickiest eaters can't resist!

How to Make Classic Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce:

1. Bring salted water to a boil.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
3. Add crushed tomatoes and pasta water, then season with chicken bouillon, sugar, and red pepper flakes.
4. Simmer sauce for 25-30 minutes, stir in lemon juice.
5. Cook spaghetti until al dente, then transfer to the sauce.
6. Toss with fresh basil and butter or olive oil, adjusting with pasta water as needed.
7. Serve immediately.

Garlic Cheese Bread:

1. Melt butter with oil, parsley, and garlic.
2. For sliced bread: brush with garlic butter, add cheese if desired, and toast under the broiler or bake at 375°F.
3. For split bread: bake at 400°F, add cheese if desired, and broil briefly.
4. Cut and serve.

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Recipe

Easy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

by Camila Benitez

This Classic Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce is a delicious dish to prepare for your family. It's a quick and healthy meal that will leave everyone feeling full and satisfied. This recipe is ideal for those nights when you want something flavorful but don't have much time to prepare it. It takes less than 20 minutes to prepare, and the ingredients are fairly inexpensive.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 8

Calories 586 kcal

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Colander
• Measuring cups
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Chef's knife
• Serrated knife
• Cutting board
• Large wooden spoon
• Tongs
• small bowl
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1 medium onion, optional , finely chopped
• ▢ 5 cloves garlic , slivered or minced
• ▢ one 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes or plum tomatoes , crushed by hand
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (omit if you have small children)
• ▢ 2 to 3 teaspoons kosher salt , adjust to taste
• ▢ 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup torn basil leaves or chopped fresh Italian Parsley
• ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or olive brine , optional

Serving:

• ▢ 1 pound linguine or spaghetti
• ▢ ½ cup grated Parmesan , plus for serving
• ▢ Chopped fresh basil or Italian parsley for garnish

For the Garlic Cheese Bread:

• ▢ 2 teaspoons granulated garlic or fresh garlic clove , peeled
• ▢ 4 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1 loaf of french bread or a large country rustic baguette , ½ inches sliced or split the bread half lengthwise
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano cheese , optional
• ▢ Mozzarella cheese or Mexican Blend , shredded, as needed (optional)

Instructions

 

For the Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-10 minutes.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, then rinse the can with 1 cup of pasta water and add it to the skillet. Season with kosher salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for 25-30 minutes to thicken and develop flavor. Stir in lemon juice.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until al dente. Using tongs, transfer the pasta directly into the sauce. Add fresh basil and butter (or a drizzle of olive oil) and toss until the butter melts. If the pasta seems dry, stir in ½ cup (or more) of pasta water. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

For the Garlic Cheese Bread

• In a microwave-safe dish or small saucepan, combine butter, oil, parsley, and garlic. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute or on the stovetop over low heat until the butter melts.
• For sliced bread, arrange the slices on a baking sheet. Brush generously with the garlic butter mixture and sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Toast under the broiler until golden brown, or bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, until lightly golden. If using mozzarella, broil for 30 seconds until bubbly and golden.
• For split bread, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the bread on a baking sheet, brush with the garlic butter mixture, and sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Bake for 8-15 minutes, until golden and toasted. If using mozzarella, broil for 30 seconds until bubbly and golden. Cut into pieces and serve.

Notes

How to Store & Re-Heat 

• To store: Refrigerated Leftover Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce, covered for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave until hot. Garlic cheese bread can be kept at room temperature for two days, wrapped tightly in plastic or foil.
• To reheat: Wrap it in foil and bake it for 10-12 minutes in a preheated 350 F oven. Alternatively, you can use the microwave to reheat quickly.

Make-Ahead

Prepared the Tomato Sauce sauce 4 days ahead, cover, and refrigerate until needed. Combine with the pasta (without the cheese topping ) for up to 2 days, cover, and refrigerate until needed. Reheat over a stovetop over medium heat until heated (adding a splash of water if needed). Add the grated cheese. Alternatively, you can heat it in the microwave. I don't recommend making the garlic cheese bread ahead. Garlic cheese bread is best eaten fresh.

How to Freeze

Allow the spaghetti with Tomato sauce to cool to room temperature. Transfer the Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

To thaw and reheat the spaghetti:

Remove the spaghetti from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer the spaghetti to a saucepan and reheat over medium heat until heated, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of water or tomato sauce to the pan to help loosen the spaghetti. Alternatively, you can reheat the spaghetti in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

Note: It's best to leave the grated Parmesan cheese when freezing the Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce. You can add it after reheating the Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce, as cheese can become rubbery and lose flavor when frozen and reheated.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

Amount per Serving

Calories

586

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

32

g

49

%

Saturated Fat

 

6

g

38

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

4

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

21

g

Cholesterol

 

8

mg

3

%

Sodium

 

501

mg

22

%

Potassium

 

247

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

62

g

21

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

4

g

4

%

Protein

 

14

g

28

%

Vitamin A

 

482

IU

10

%

Vitamin C

 

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

 

153

mg

15

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.