Easy Pomodoro Sauce

This robust, flavorful Pomodoro sauce is made with 6 simple ingredients and is ready in 45 minutes. It’s the perfect healthy recipe for busy nights!

Pomodoro sauce recipe

If you love easy and delicious sauces, check out penne alla vodka sauce, 5 minute marinara sauce, or red wine pasta sauce.

Need a bite of summer? This easy pomodoro sauce recipe is packed with sun ripened tomatoes, harvested summertime herbs, and it tastes so fresh! It has all the flavor you need and uses only a few simple ingredients!

Pomodoro literally translates from Italian to English as “tomato,” which is the base of this sauce. It uses fresh tomatoes (like my tomato sauce from scratch) to give it a fresh and robust flavor.

Pomodoro Vs. Marinara

There is a slight difference between Pomodoro sauce and marinara sauce. They both can use fresh tomatoes, but marinara sauce tends to be a thinner consistency with chunks of tomato and contains more herbs like oregano, red pepper flakes, etc.

Pomodoro sauce is much more simple in ingredients and has a thicker, smoother consistency than marinara sauce.

Pomodoro sauce ingredients

• Plum tomatoes– You can use fresh plum tomatoes or a 28 oz. can of whole peeled San Marzo tomatoes (I always use Cento brand).
• Fresh basil– Fresh basil compliments the sweetness of the tomatoes and adds a ton of fresh flavor.
• Garlic– Garlic is sautèd first to add depth of flavor.
• Salt– Just a pinch of salt will enhance the flavor of the sauce.
• Olive oil– I love using California Olive Ranch olive oil because it’s of great quality and is super flavorful.

Chef’s tips

Give it time

Like most pasta sauces, the flavor develops even more over time. This sauce can be ready in 45 minutes (even 30 if you really wanted to push the envelope) but it develops a deeper, riches, more finished flavor the longer it is simmered.

Switch it up

You can steer off course with this Pomodoro sauce and make it your own! Here are a few of my best-kept secrets on switching the flavor up!

Use fresh heirloom tomatoes for a more refined flavor as I did in my tomato sauce from scratch. You can also make it creamy by adding 1/2 cup of heavy cream.

Make it creamy by adding 1/2 cup of heavy cream to the sauce (like my penne alla vodka recipe).

Make it spicy by adding 1/2-1 tsp of red pepper flakes to the Pomodoro sauce. It will give it the perfect amount of heat!

How to make Pomodoro sauce

1. Prepare the tomatoes. Halve the tomatoes and deseed them using a spoon. Add the tomatoes to a food processor and blend them until smooth. Place the tomatoes in a strainer and allow them to strain the excess liquid for a few minutes.
2. Sautè the ingredients. Place a medium sized pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil to the hot pot, then sautè the garlic for 2 minutes. Add the basil leaves and the tomatoes.
3. Simmer the sauce. Lower the heat to a simmer, then allow the sauce to cook for 40 minutes. Add salt to taste (and even a dash of sugar if the acidity needs to be balanced).
4. Serve. Remove the basil leaves before serving. Cook your favorite pasta and serve with the Pomodoro sauce. Mangia!

How to store and reheat

In the freezer

Allow the sauce to cool completely before attempting to freeze. I like to place my sauce in the fridge overnight. Pour the sauce into airtight freezer safe containers (I love using Mason jars for this) and place it in the freezer with the lid placed lightly on top. Once the sauce has frozen, you can tighten the lid.

In the fridge

Pour the Pomodoro sauce into an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days.

To reheat

Simply place the Pomodoro sauce in a microwave-safe container and reheat for 1-2 minutes. You can also place the Pomodoro sauce in a small pan over medium heat on the stove for 10 minutes.

More Delicious Pasta Classics

Hot sausage and pepper pasta
Bolognese sauce
Instant pot beef ragu
Pesto pasta with artichoke hearts
Penne au gratin

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay in touch! I love to see your creations! Tag me at #SeaSaltSavorings to show me what you’ve made!