🍝 Classic Red Sauce Pasta
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
200–250g pasta (penne, spaghetti, fusilli, etc.)
2 tbsp olive oil
4–5 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
2 cups tomato puree (fresh blended tomatoes or canned)
1 tbsp tomato ketchup (optional, for slight sweetness)
½ tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil (optional)
Salt to taste
½ tsp sugar (optional, if tomatoes are sour)
2 tbsp grated cheese (parmesan or processed cheese)
Fresh basil or coriander for garnish (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes).
Drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
2️⃣ Prepare the Red Sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add onions and cook until soft and slightly golden.
Add tomato puree and mix well.
Cook on medium heat for 8–10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
3️⃣ Season
Add salt, chili flakes, oregano, basil, ketchup (if using), and sugar (if needed).
Simmer for 2–3 more minutes.
4️⃣ Combine
Add boiled pasta to the sauce.
Toss well. Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Cook together for 1–2 minutes.
5️⃣ Serve
Garnish with grated cheese and fresh basil.
Serve hot!
✨ Optional Add-ins
Sautéed vegetables (capsicum, mushrooms, zucchini)
Grilled chicken or prawns
Olives for a Mediterranean touch
A splash of cream for creamy tomato pasta
If you’d like, I can also give you a restaurant-style, Indian-style spicy, or white & red mix (pink sauce) version.