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Easy No-Cook Summer Pasta Sauce Recipe with Fresh Herbs for Perfect Quick Meals

no-cook summer pasta sauce - featured image
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A quick, fresh, and flavorful no-cook pasta sauce made with ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and olive oil, perfect for summer meals without turning on the stove.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (600g) ripe tomatoes, chopped (preferably plum or heirloom)
  • 1 cup (25g) fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (or parsley/oregano)
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup (40g) red onion, finely diced
  • Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and roughly chop about 4 cups (600g) of ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Roughly chop 1 cup (25g) of fresh basil leaves or substitute with parsley or oregano.
  3. Finely dice ¼ cup (40g) of red onion.
  4. Mince 2 cloves of garlic as finely as possible.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, onion, and garlic.
  6. Pour in ⅓ cup (80ml) of extra-virgin olive oil and the juice from half a lemon if using.
  7. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
  8. Gently stir everything together to maintain a chunky texture without pureeing.
  9. Cover the bowl and let the sauce rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes to meld flavors and soften garlic.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Add a splash of water or olive oil if too thick.
  11. Serve tossed with your favorite cooked pasta such as penne or spaghetti, garnished with extra basil or grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Let the sauce rest for at least 15 minutes to mellow the raw garlic and allow flavors to meld. Use ripe tomatoes for best flavor. Can be made a few hours ahead and chilled, then brought to room temperature before serving. Avoid freezing to preserve texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-cook pasta sauce, summer pasta sauce, fresh herb sauce, quick pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, vegan pasta sauce, gluten-free pasta sauce

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/easy-no-cook-summer-pasta-sauce-recipe-with-fresh-herbs-for-perfect-quick-meals/