• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hello Little Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces + Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Kitchen Tips
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • DIY
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty + Style
    • Blogging
    • Health + Fitness
    • Holidays
    • Party Ideas
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • DIY
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe » Sauces and Condiments » Fresh Tomato Sauce

    Fresh Tomato Sauce

    Published Aug 5, 2023 · Updated Jun 27, 2025 by Ginnie · 4 Comments

    Pin
    Share
    Email
    Jump to Recipe

    Learn how to make the BEST Fresh Tomato Sauce! This simple recipe is ready in minutes and makes a delicious, easy dinner when paired with spaghetti ... it's the perfect way to use fresh, summer tomatoes!

    A fork in a bowl of spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Wondering what to do with fresh tomatoes? There are so many ways to use this yummy summer veggie, but this mouthwatering Fresh Tomato Sauce is one of my absolute favorites!

    You are going to love this homemade Pasta Sauce! It really doesn't get any simpler or more satisfying, and I can't think of a better way to show off tomatoes fresh from the garden (or farmers market).

    If you're intimidated by making homemade sauces, making Tomato Sauce from fresh tomatoes is a great place to start. The ingredients are minimal, the technique is simple, and the results are mouthwateringly delicious.

    Best of all, this recipe is fast! You can cook the sauce and the pasta in about 30 minutes. Make it for busy weeknights or for a no-fuss summer dinner party ... either way, everyone at your table is sure to love it.

    Ready to start cooking? Keep reading for all the details, then make it for dinner tonight!

    A blue bowl filled with the finished recipe with a fork resting on top.

    Ingredients

    This recipe uses simple, fresh, easy to find ingredients! Here's what you'll need:

    • Tomatoes - Obviously, the best tomatoes you can find are a must. Fresh from the garden or farmers market is best, but store bought can also be used. Do they smell like fresh, delicious tomatoes? Are they juicy feeling, not rock hard? Then, you're good to go.
    • Onions + Garlic - A combo of onions and garlic creates a savory base for your sauce.
    • Olive Oil - You'll cook the sauce in extra virgin olive oil.
    • Basil - Tomatoes and basil are one of those Italian summer pairings that's hard to improve upon. You'll add the basil at the end of the cooking time to preserve its fresh flavor.
    • Pasta - I used spaghetti here, but other long, thin pastas (such as linguine) may also be used. Small shells (like conchiglie) work well at capturing the sauce, too.

    This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, and gluten free, which means that everyone at your dinner table can enjoy it!

    You'll Also Need

    You'll need a large skillet to prepare the Marina Sauce (this nonstick frying pan works perfectly), as well as a large pot to cook the pasta (I used my fave dutch oven). I'd also recommend using pair of tongs to toss the sauce with the pasta.

    Ingredients for Fresh Tomato Pasta Sauce arranged on a wood board.

    How to Make Fresh Tomato Sauce

    Making Tomato Sauce with fresh tomatoes is quick, easy, and so delicious ... it's all about simple, fresh flavors! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:

    1. Saute onions + garlic. You'll begin by sauteing the onions in olive oil. Season them with a little salt to help build the flavors in your sauce. Once the onions start turning golden brown on the edges, stir in some garlic. Cook that for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly ... it should smell garlicky and delicious.
    2. Add tomatoes. Stir the tomatoes to your onions and garlic, then bring your sauce to a simmer. Continue cooking your sauce until the tomatoes have softened and broken down, and it's nice and thick, about 15 to 20 minutes. Tip: Some Fresh Tomato Pasta Sauce recipes call for peeling tomatoes, but that's a pain in the you know what. We're keeping things simple here, so no peeling required.
    3. Mix in basil. Once the sauce has thickened, season it to taste, then stir in the fresh basil.
    4. Cook pasta. Once your sauce begins simmering, cook the pasta in a pot of well-salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Tip: I used spaghetti here, but other long, thin shapes (like linguine) work, too.
    5. Combine pasta and sauce. Add the pasta to the finished sauce and toss everything together (tongs work best for this), adding just enough of the reserved pasta water as you do to help the sauce coat the spaghetti. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan and extra basil (or skip the cheese to keep things vegan).

    And that's all there is to it ... your homemade Fresh Tomato Sauce is ready to eat! You are going to love this easy recipe. It's the perfect way to use summer produce for a fast and delicious dinner!

    A wood spoon in a frying pan filled with sauteed onions.
    A photo collage showing how to make fresh tomato sauce step by step.
    A pair of tongs mixing the fresh tomato sauce with spaghetti.

    Variations

    Once you've mastered this basic Fresh Tomato Pasta Sauce recipe, feel free to change things up a bit! There are so many easy ways to customize this recipe ... here are some easy ideas:

    • Veggies - Saute other fresh vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini / summer squash eggplant, and more, along with the onions. You could also stir in some spinach near the end of the cooking time.
    • Olives - Add your favorite olives (briny Kalamata or milder Castelvetrano olives would both work well) along with the tomatoes for another layer of flavor. Capers would also be delish!
    • Artichokes - Canned artichokes would also work really well in this sauce.
    • Herbs - Change up the flavor by experimenting with other fresh herbs, such as oregano, thyme, Italian parsley, or rosemary.
    • Spicy - Add some heat by stirring in crushed red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili paste along with the garlic.
    Closeup of a fork twirling spaghetti.

    Serving Ideas

    For an easy summer dinner, this homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes makes a wonderful one bowl meal! For a more rounded meal, add an easy salad. I'd Try this Quick Chopped Salad, simple Green Salad, Easy Kale Salad, or this classic Garden Salad.

    You could also pair this pasta with a simple side dish, like Grilled or Roasted Vegetables. And Garlic Bread would be super tasty, too.

    Related Recipes

    Craving more easy pasta ideas? Then, you'll love these recipes, too:

    • Roasted Tomato Sauce (also made with fresh tomatoes!)
    • Pesto Pasta 
    • Greek Pasta Salad
    • Lemon Ricotta Pasta
    • Alfredo Sauce
    • Roasted Tomato Pasta
    • Marinara Sauce
    • Pasta Primavera
    • Baked Feta Pasta

    If you're looking for more fresh tomato ideas, don't miss this simple Tomato Toast, Tomato and Onion Salad, Caprese Pizza recipe, Burrata Caprese, Pan con Tomate, Tomato Galette, or these Roasted Grape Tomatoes!

    A bowl of the finished recipe, napkin, and fork on a marble counter.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Do you still have questions about making this easy sauce? Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you out!

    Do you have to peel tomatoes for sauce?

    You do not have to peel tomatoes for sauce. While many recipes call for blanching and peeling the tomatoes first, it's not necessary for this sauce (nor for most sauces). As long as you use fresh, in season tomatoes, you can leave the skin on and save lots of time in the process.

    What kind of tomatoes do you use for sauce?

    Almost any kind of tomato works for homemade sauce. Look for juicy, super flavorful tomatoes for the best results (such as from the garden or farmers market). This sauce is cooks quickly, so any tomato you'd enjoy eating raw in a salad or sandwich is an excellent option.

    Should you seed tomatoes for sauce?

    You do not need to seed tomatoes for sauce. The seeds are surrounded by the juiciest (and often most flavorful) part of the tomato. If you remove the seeds, your sauce won't have enough liquid and may be bland tasting.

    Should you put sugar in spaghetti sauce?

    Do not put sugar in spaghetti sauce. You're going for fresh, bright flavors here, not a long-simmered, hearty sauce. If you feel that the sauce is too acidic, try adding a pinch of baking soda instead.

    How do you thicken fresh tomato sauce?

    To thicken fresh tomato sauce, continue simmering it until you achieve the right consistency. Make sure to use a large, wide pan (like a deep skillet), which will help excess liquids evaporate faster. Cooking your sauce in a smaller pan will make the process take longer.

    A fork twirling spaghetti with tomato sauce.
    Spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce served in a blue patterned bowl.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Fresh Tomato Sauce

    Learn how to make the BEST Tomato Sauce from Fresh Tomatoes ... paired with pasta, this delicious recipe makes a quick and easy meal!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 318kcal
    Author: Ginnie

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ medium onion, diced small
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 6 medium tomatoes, diced (4 cups)
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
    • 1 pound spaghetti
    • kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add onion to skillet and season with a little salt. Cook until onion starts turning golden brown, about 7 minutes.
    • Stir in garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant (about 30 seconds).
    • Mix in tomatoes. Simmer until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Season sauce to taste with salt. Stir in fresh basil.
    • While the sauce is simmering, cook pasta in a large pot of well-salted water until al dente. Remove ½ cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta.
    • Add pasta to sauce. Toss, adding just enough of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.
    • Serve pasta immediately, topped with additional basil and grated Parmesan, if desired. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Make sure to check out the info before this recipe card for helpful tips, variations, serving suggestions, and more!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcal
    Did you make this recipe?I love hearing from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag @HelloLittleHome or #hellolittlehome on Instagram!
    Fresh Tomato Sauce served with spaghetti in a blue blow.
    Fresh Tomato SauceFresh Tomato Sauce
    Pin
    Share
    Email
    « Peach Green Tea
    Brie and Apple Sandwich »

    About Ginnie

    Ginnie is the writer, photographer, and chief content creator behind Hello Little Home. She loves trying new things (whether that’s creating delicious vegetarian recipes, exploring a new city, trying a fun DIY project, or sharing a pretty makeup look), and she hopes to inspire you to do the same! Read more about Ginnie here.

    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)
    Subscribe
    Notify of
    Recipe Rating




    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    4 Comments
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Julie
    1 year ago

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe this morning (using canned diced tomatoes and powder basil) and absolutely love it!! I don't like thick sauces, and this is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Will be using this recipe again and again, I'm sure.

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Julie

    Hi Julie! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂

    0
    Reply
    Lucie Pabin
    1 year ago

    5 stars
    I am looking to make a large batch of this to freeze dry.

    0
    Reply
    Author
    Ginnie
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Lucie Pabin

    I've never tried freeze drying it, Lucie ... let us know how it goes! 🙂

    0
    Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Ginnie Headshot

    Hi, I'm Ginnie! Welcome to Hello Little Home, which is all about inspiring everyday creativity! I'm excited to share my favorite things with you ... vegetarian recipes, travel inspiration, DIY projects, decor ideas, beauty and fashion tips, and more! Read more about me here!

    FOLLOW ALONG

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Newsletter

    Keep up with all things Hello Little Home ... sign up below to receive my weekly newsletter!

    You'll get all my posts delivered straight to your inbox, plus exclusive content just for subscribers.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured By

    A graphic with logos from media outlets Hello Little Home has been featured by, including Martha Stewart, Home Depot, Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, Parade, HGTV, BuzzFeed, and more..

    Information

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    Never miss a post ... Sign Up for our weekly newsletter

    Connect

    • Facebook Icon
    • Pinterest Icon
    • Instagram Icon
    • Twitter Icon
    • YouTube Icon
    • RSS Feed

    Copyright © 2022 Hello Little Home

    wpDiscuz

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.