Description
Jamie Oliver’s Tomato Garlic Pasta Sauce is a classic, Italian-inspired sauce made with ripe tomatoes, plenty of garlic, and olive oil. This simple but flavorful sauce can be used with a variety of pasta types or as a versatile base for many dishes, offering rich tomato flavor with the subtle sweetness of garlic.
Ingredients
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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- 1 kg (2 lbs) ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 2 cans of chopped tomatoes)
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- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
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- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
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- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or a handful of fresh basil, torn)
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- 1 pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
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- Salt and pepper to taste
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- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
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- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
Add the chopped fresh tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) to the pan with the garlic. Stir to combine. If using fresh tomatoes, you can remove the skins beforehand by blanching them, but this is optional.
Add the tomato paste to thicken the sauce and deepen the tomato flavor. Stir in the dried oregano and basil. If your tomatoes are particularly acidic, you can add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and the flavors will come together nicely. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water or vegetable stock to thin it out.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Serve the sauce tossed with your favorite pasta, and garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.