Used as a sauce for soft-cooked pasta

Used as a sauce for soft-cooked pasta recipe videos

This is a classic Italian tomato-based sauce, typically made from crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, and herbs like basil and oregano. It is designed to coat and flavor soft-cooked pasta, creating a simple yet flavorful base for countless variations.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

The sauce is generally low in protein and fat, with most of its calories coming from carbohydrates in the tomatoes. It is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and the antioxidant lycopene, with a typical serving containing around 80-100 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	85 kcal
Protein	2 g
Carbs	15 g
Fat	2 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	8 g
Sodium	400 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin A	1200 IU
Potassium	350 mg
Lycopene	8 mg
Vitamin K	5 mcg
Folate	20 mcg
Manganese	0.2 mg
Iron	1 mg

Per 1/2 cup (125 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, this sauce is the foundation of Italian 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking), emphasizing simple, high-quality ingredients. Nutritionally, cooking tomatoes significantly increases the bioavailability of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health.