Pasta with Sweet and Savory Tomato Sauce

Stop what you're doing! This is the BEST tomato sauce ever! Too bold of a statement you say? I think not. I used 2 different types of "tomatoes" in this dish - tomato sauce and sun dried tomatoes. The two canoodle in the pot and evolve into a savory, silky sauce with chewy bits of sweet tomato. I'm telling you... you will be floored by this one.

This is one taste and texture explosion! I think you'll also appreciate how easy the dish is to make. The sauce comes together in one pot while the pasta cooks in another. That means dinner makes it to the table in about 20 minutes!

About the pasta: I used cavatappi this time; I love the curly shape and how the sauce clings to the little nooks and crannies in the noodles. You can use any pasta shape/variety you want, including gluten-free.

Pasta with Sweet and Savory Tomato Sauce

12 ounces pasta of choice (I used cavatappi)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 cups tomato sauce, from a carton or can
1/4 cup chopped oil-packed sun dried tomatoes
Salt and ground black pepper
Grated parmesan cheese for serving
Crushed red pepper flakes for serving

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and cover with foil to keep warm.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, until soft. Add the oregano and basil and stir to coat. Cook for 30 seconds, until the herbs are fragrant. Add the tomato sauce and sun dried tomatoes, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine and heat through. Top the pasta and sauce parmesan cheese and serve with crushed red pepper flakes on the side.
Serves 4