Pasta Sauce(Large Pot)
A hearty and flavorful pasta sauce featuring rich tomato flavors, aromatic herbs, and melted Italian cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this versatile sauce can be paired with pasta, meatballs, or your favorite dishes for a comforting meal with robust taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Saute chopped onion in a small amount of oil until translucent.
- Add tomato paste to the onions and stir for one minute.
- Add all remaining ingredients including tomato sauce, oregano, black pepper, garlic powder, thyme, basil, and Italian cheese.
- Pour in 4 cans of water using the tomato paste can for measurement.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours, stirring often.
- After 1 hour of cooking, add 1/2 cup grated Italian cheese.
- Optional: prepare and cook meatballs in the sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine or a tablespoon of sugar to balance acidity. If you're out of oregano, Italian seasoning works well as a substitute. To save time, use pre-minced garlic instead of garlic powder. You can also swap out the Italian cheese for mozzarella or parmesan, depending on your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sauce over your favorite pasta, such as penne or spaghetti, for a hearty meal. It pairs beautifully with Garlic Pasta or Lemon Basil Pasta for a refreshing twist. Consider adding a side salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner experience. For a protein boost, meatballs can be stirred in just before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pasta Sauce(Large Pot) contains roughly 505 calories, with 18g protein, 130g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (271% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. It also contributes 76g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the pasta sauce?
Yes, this pasta sauce freezes very well! Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.
What type of pasta works best with this sauce?
This sauce is versatile and pairs well with any pasta shape, but thick shapes like rigatoni or fettuccine hold onto the sauce nicely. If you prefer a lighter option, try it with Angel Hair Pasta With Pimiento for a unique taste.
Can I make this sauce vegetarian?
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally vegetarian as it contains no meat. You can enhance it with additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for added texture and flavor. Browse more vegetarian recipes for inspiration!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).