Quick & Easy Pasta Sauce

Over medium heat, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet. When the oil is heated – it will have a gentle shimmer to it – add the finely chopped onion. Stir well and cook until they're soft and translucent. This usually takes me around 5 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to avoid burning.

Just when the onions are soft, add the minced garlic and cook them together. A little tip on this – garlic burns very easily, so you only want to sauté it for about 1 minute. This will enhance its flavor without it losing its essence.

Now, add the diced tomatoes to the onion and garlic mixture. I love using canned tomatoes – they're a handy pantry staple and guarantee consistent taste and quality. Stir to combine.

Next, stir in the tomato paste to the mixture. The paste will add depth and rich flavor to our sauce.

Add the chopped fresh basil, sugar (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Bonus tip: add sugar if your tomatoes are very acidic, it helps balance the flavors. Let it simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes.

Your sauce is now ready to use. Just pour it over your favorite drained pasta and enjoy the mouthwatering flavors. Don't forget to taste and adjust seasonings if needed.