How to Make Authentic Pasta with Tomato Paste: A Flavorful Italian Delight

Spaghetti in tomato sauce is a classic Italian dish that is popular for its simple yet rich flavor. This dish is not only easy to prepare, but also very delicious and is loved by home cooks and professional cooks alike. Here's how to make authentic pasta with tomato sauce.
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Materials
450g pasta (e.g. spaghetti, macaroni or other type)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 TBSP tomato sauce
1 cup pasta boiling water (reserved while cooking pasta)
1/2 TSP crushed red pepper (optional, to add some heat)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for balancing acidity)
Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, added when serving
Production procedure
Step 1 Cook the pasta
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Boil water in a large pot with salt.
Cook pasta according to package instructions until desired doneness is reached (usually in an "al dente" state).
Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water for later use before draining the pasta.
2. Prepare the sauce
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In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and fry until transparent, about 5 minutes.
Add the chopped garlic and continue to fry for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
3. Add ketchup
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Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir well.
Boil the tomato sauce for 1-2 minutes to slightly concentrate its flavor.
If you like a spicy taste, add crushed red pepper and stir well.
4. Adjust the consistency of the sauce
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Slowly add the reserved pasta cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
Add sugar, salt and black pepper and adjust to taste.
5. Mix the pasta
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Add the cooked pasta to the sauce pan and stir well to coat each noodle.
Heat over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes to incorporate the pasta and sauce.
6. Garnish and serve
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Transfer the pasta to a plate and sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.
Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese according to personal taste.
Tips
Fresh ingredients: Try to use fresh Onions, garlic and herbs, which will significantly enhance the flavor of the dish.
Pasta cooking water: The water in which pasta is cooked contains starches that help the sauce stick to the noodles.
Sweet and sour balance: If you find ketchup too sour, you can add a little sugar to balance the acidity.
Conclusion
Spaghetti with tomato sauce is a classic representative of Italian cuisine, its preparation process is simple, but the taste is extremely rich. This dish is ideal for both family dinners and daily dinners. Try the above methods to make this authentic tomato sauce pasta and enjoy the rich flavor.