SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATO SAUCE:
Easy Homemade Italian Meal
This Simple Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce is one of those recipes that shows how a few good ingredients can make a delicious meal. We combine spaghetti with our homemade tomato sauce, then use a little of the pasta cooking water to bring the sauce and pasta together in the pan. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil leaves and a little Parmesan finish the dish.
There is no complicated technique and nothing extra is needed. The tomato sauce does most of the work, while the pasta water helps create a smooth, flavorful coating around the spaghetti. It is a simple Italian pasta meal made with ingredients we always have in the kitchen.
Key steps of the recipe are supported by short videos showing textures and techniques, while the complete recipe video is available just below.
VIDEO RECIPE SPAGHETTI
RECIPE SCORECARD
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NUTRITIONAL VALUES
* Calculated per portion using standard ingredient databases
480 kcal
70 g
17 g
14 g
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5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
2
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RECIPE PROFILE
INGREDIENTS SPAGHETTI
“We’ve always loved this kind of simple pasta, but for me it has a particularly special place. When I was younger and racing my bike, this was one of my favorite meals to eat a few hours before a race. It was simple, familiar and easy to digest, with plenty of carbohydrates and nothing complicated in the sauce. Even today, we like it before endurance workouts for exactly the same reason. A good tomato sauce, some spaghetti, a little olive oil, fresh basil and Parmesan—that’s really all you need.”
✓ 5.6 oz spaghetti (160 g)
✓ 1 block homemade fresh tomato sauce, for 2 servings (about 8.8 oz / 250 g)
✓ 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (10 ml)
✓ 2 tbsp grated Grana Padano (about 20 g)
✓ Fresh basil leaves, a few
✓ Salt, for the pasta water
✓ Pasta cooking water, as needed
How it Comes Together
"A visual walkthrough of the key moments that turn simple ingredients into Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce."
+ HOW TO MAKE IT STEP BY STEP
1. Prepare the tomato sauce
✓ Use one frozen portion of our homemade fresh tomato sauce, enough for two servings
✓ Gently heat the sauce in a large pan while you prepare the spaghetti
✓ The complete recipe for making, portioning and freezing the sauce can be found here: Fresh Tomato Sauce Recipe
2. Cook the spaghetti
✓ Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
✓ Cook 160 g spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente
✓ Before draining, reserve some of the pasta cooking water
3. Combine the pasta and tomato sauce
✓ While the pasta cooks, gently heat one frozen block of homemade tomato sauce in a large pan
✓ Transfer the drained spaghetti directly into the pan with the sauce
✓ Add a little of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together over low heat until the sauce coats the spaghetti evenly and becomes smooth and glossy
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01 - Tomato sauce
+ RECIPE MOMENTS
4. Finish and serve
✓ Divide the spaghetti between two plates
✓ Finish each portion with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a few fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of finely grated Grana Padano
✓ Serve immediately while hot
02 - Cook the pasta
03 - Mix it all
04 - Finish & serve
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The key to getting the best texture is to finish the spaghetti in the pan with the tomato sauce rather than simply spooning the sauce over the pasta. Cook the spaghetti until al dente and reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining. Adding a small amount of this starchy water to the sauce as you toss the pasta helps loosen the sauce and allows it to coat the spaghetti evenly, creating a smoother and more flavorful finish. Keep the heat low and toss gently until everything comes together.
This simple spaghetti with tomato sauce can easily be adapted for different dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, simply use your favorite gluten-free spaghetti or other gluten-free pasta, while keeping the homemade tomato sauce and the rest of the ingredients the same. For a lactose-free version, replace the Grana Padano with a suitable lactose-free cheese or a dairy-free alternative that you enjoy. The tomato sauce itself contains no dairy, so only the cheese topping needs to be changed.
TIPS FOR PERFECT RESULTS
RECIPE VARIATIONS
+ FAQs ABOUT SPAGHETTI
Can I use frozen tomato sauce for spaghetti?
Yes. Frozen homemade tomato sauce works very well for spaghetti and makes this recipe especially convenient. Gently heat one frozen portion in a pan while the pasta cooks, then combine it with the spaghetti and a little pasta cooking water. This allows you to turn a prepared portion of homemade sauce into a fresh pasta meal in just a few minutes.
How do you make spaghetti with tomato sauce taste better?
The simplest way is to finish the spaghetti in the pan with the tomato sauce rather than serving the sauce on top. Add a small amount of reserved pasta water while tossing the spaghetti with the sauce to create a smooth coating. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil and freshly grated Grana Padano for extra flavor.
How much tomato sauce do I need for spaghetti?
For this recipe, we use approximately 250 g (8.8 oz) of homemade tomato sauce for 160 g (5.6 oz) of dry spaghetti, serving two people. This gives enough sauce to coat the pasta generously without overwhelming it. If you prefer a saucier pasta, you can always add a little more tomato sauce.
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