10+ Red Sauce Pasta Recipes You’ll Love to Try Today

Red sauce pasta—yeah, it’s a classic for a reason. It’s comforting, super easy, and you can riff on it a hundred ways depending on your mood or what’s in the pantry.

You just need pasta and a tomato-based sauce, and you’re off to the races. Whether you want a fast dinner or something a bit more special, red sauce pasta really doesn’t let you down.

You don’t need to be a chef to make a killer red sauce pasta. I’ll walk you through some basic tips and ideas, and you can tweak things to fit your own style or whatever you have lying around.

Honestly, once you get the hang of it, you’ll start craving this stuff on busy nights or lazy weekends.

Ingredients

• Pasta (any type)
• Tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Dried herbs (like oregano or basil)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add chopped garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
5. Simmer sauce for 10-15 minutes.
6. Toss cooked pasta with sauce and serve.

1) Classic Italian Red Sauce Pasta with garlic and oregano

Here’s the OG: classic red sauce pasta, loaded with garlic and oregano. You start by sautéing garlic in olive oil—wait until your kitchen smells amazing.

Then, toss in canned tomatoes and oregano for that herby, rich flavor. Let the sauce simmer so everything melds together.

If you’re into a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This sauce is super flexible—pick whichever pasta you love.

Fresh herbs and good canned tomatoes really do make a difference. You’ll get a sauce that tastes like you worked on it for hours, but honestly, it comes together fast.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 12 oz pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and oregano.
4. Add red pepper flakes if using.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
6. Season with salt.
7. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
8. Toss pasta with sauce and serve warm.

For a quick, flavorful approach, check out this easy Italian-American red sauce.

2) Creamy Tomato Pasta with parmesan and lemon

This one’s for when you want a little extra comfort. Creamy tomato pasta with parmesan and a squeeze of fresh lemon—it’s got that silky, tangy thing going on.

The sauce starts with a tomato base, but the cream and parmesan take it to a whole new level. Lemon juice brightens up the whole dish.

It’s quick to make, so it’s perfect for a busy night. You can always toss in spinach or herbs if you feel like it.

Ingredients

• Pasta (any kind)
• Tomato paste or fresh tomatoes
• Heavy cream or half-and-half
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Stir in cream and lemon juice, then simmer gently.
5. Mix in grated parmesan until melted.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss cooked pasta in the sauce and serve warm.

For a helpful guide to making creamy tomato pasta with lemon and parmesan, check this creamy tomato pasta recipe.

3) Spicy Red Sauce Pasta with red pepper flakes

Want to turn up the heat? Throw some red pepper flakes into your red sauce pasta.

Start with a basic tomato sauce, then sprinkle in red pepper flakes—just enough to wake up your taste buds, not blow them out. Sauté garlic in olive oil first for that deep flavor.

Cook the sauce until it thickens and everything comes together. Penne or spaghetti are great for catching all that spicy goodness.

Add fresh basil if you want to mellow out the heat a bit. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong.

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or spaghetti)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh basil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
4. Simmer sauce for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Season with salt.
6. Mix pasta into the sauce.
7. Garnish with fresh basil, if using. Serve warm.

4) Marinara Sauce Pasta with white wine and parsley

Marinara gets a little upgrade here—white wine and parsley bring a fresh, bright twist. The wine adds some zing and balances out the tomatoes’ sweetness.

Start by softening onions and garlic in olive oil. Pour in the white wine and let it cook down a bit before adding your tomatoes.

Simmer the sauce gently and stir in chopped parsley at the end. Toss with your favorite pasta and you’ve got a meal that feels a bit fancier but takes hardly any time.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Pasta of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour in white wine and cook for 3 minutes to reduce.
4. Add crushed tomatoes and salt; simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving.
6. Toss sauce with cooked pasta and enjoy.

You can see a similar version of this dish at Marcella’s Tomato Sauce with White Wine & Parsley.

5) Red Sauce Pasta with caramelized onions and fresh basil

Caramelized onions are the secret weapon here. Take your time and let them get sweet and golden—they’ll make the red sauce pop.

Add fresh basil just before serving for that bright, herbal note. Use canned or fresh tomatoes, whatever you have.

This one’s awesome with spaghetti or any long noodles. Parmesan on top? Always a good idea.

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces spaghetti
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add sliced onions and cook slowly until caramelized, about 20 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
6. Drain pasta and mix with the sauce.
7. Stir in fresh basil right before serving.
8. Add parmesan if you like. Enjoy!

For a flavorful version, check Caramelized Onion and Burst Tomato Pasta Skillet.

6) Simple Tomato Sauce Pasta with canned tomatoes and herbs

Sometimes you just want something super simple. Grab a can of tomatoes, a few herbs, and you’re halfway there.

Heat olive oil, sauté some garlic, then add the tomatoes, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Let it bubble gently for about 10 minutes.

Add basil at the end for a fresh kick. Toss with any pasta you like and you’ve got a homemade dish in no time.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh or dried basil, as desired
• 8 oz pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan.
2. Add crushed garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in canned diced tomatoes, oregano, and salt.
4. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add basil at the end and stir.
6. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
7. Combine pasta with the sauce and serve warm.

For more details on making simple tomato sauce, you can visit Andrew Zimmern’s simple tomato sauce recipe.

7) Kid-Friendly Mildly Spiced Red Sauce Pasta

You can whip up a red sauce pasta that kids actually want to eat by keeping things gentle on the spice. Use fresh tomatoes, onions, and garlic for a mellow, tasty sauce.

Let those simple flavors shine. Throw in a little basil or oregano if you want, but don’t go wild with the heat.

Some folks skip hot spices altogether, and honestly, that’s probably best for picky eaters. This is an easy way to get kids into tomato-based meals without complaints.

Serve the pasta warm, maybe with a sprinkle of cheese if you’re feeling generous. It’s a quick fix for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta
• 2 cups fresh tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt to taste
• Grated cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, and salt. Cook for 10 minutes.
5. Toss cooked pasta in the sauce.
6. Serve warm with cheese if you like.

For more ideas, check out this red sauce pasta recipe for toddlers and kids.

8) Quick 40-Minute Italian-American Red Sauce Pasta

Craving pasta but short on time? You can get a classic Italian-American red sauce pasta on the table in about 40 minutes.

This sauce leans on canned tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and a dash of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. It’s not fussy, and you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all night.

Sauté garlic in olive oil until it smells amazing. Add the canned tomatoes, then let everything simmer so the flavors can come together.

Season with salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes. While the sauce does its thing, boil your pasta until it’s just right.

Mix the pasta with the sauce. A little butter or a drizzle of olive oil at the end never hurts.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• 8 ounces pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in canned tomatoes and break them up with a spoon.
4. Stir in oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.
5. Simmer sauce for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
7. Drain pasta and mix into the sauce.
8. Stir in butter if using and serve warm.

For more details on this recipe, check the quick Italian-American red sauce guide.

9) Red Sauce Pasta with roasted garlic and thyme

Roasted garlic and thyme really change the game for red sauce pasta. Roasting garlic makes it sweet and mellow, and thyme brings in a fresh, earthy vibe.

Start by roasting garlic cloves and thyme together until your kitchen smells incredible. Then, toss them with roasted tomatoes for a sauce that’s honestly hard to beat.

Simmer gently so the flavors meld. Toss with your favorite pasta and you’re good to go.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 whole bulb of garlic
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz pasta (your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the garlic bulb across the top, drizzle with olive oil, and place on a baking sheet with cherry tomatoes and thyme.
3. Roast for 20-25 minutes until garlic is soft and tomatoes are blistered.
4. Squeeze garlic cloves into a bowl, then mash and mix with roasted tomatoes and thyme.
5. Heat sauce gently in a pan, season with salt and pepper.
6. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
7. Toss pasta with sauce and serve.

10) Homemade Red Sauce Pasta perfect for lasagna

Making a red sauce from scratch for lasagna isn’t as hard as it sounds. Start with fresh tomatoes, or canned if that’s what you’ve got.

Cook them down with garlic and onions for a rich, flavorful base. Add oregano, thyme, and maybe a bit of rosemary if you’re in the mood.

If you want a meaty sauce, throw in some ground beef or sausage. Simmer until it thickens and tastes just right.

Ingredients

• 4 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon rosemary (optional)
• 1/2 pound ground beef or sausage (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Toss in the onion and garlic. Cook them until they’re soft.

3. Got meat? Brown it in the pan next.

4. Pour in the tomatoes and sprinkle in the herbs.

5. Let everything simmer for about 30 minutes. Give it a stir now and then.

6. Shake in some salt and pepper to taste.

7. Slather this sauce into your lasagna.