Step 1

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring constantly (about 30 seconds).

Step 2

Add tomatoes with juices, Italian seasoning, sugar and bay leaf. If using whole tomatoes, break up tomatoes with a spoon into about 1-inch pieces while bringing to a boil. Once sauce reaches a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer.

Step 3

Begin heating water in a large pot to boiling for the pasta and cook according to package directions while sauce is simmering.

Step 4

Simmer sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf and discard.  Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.

Step 5

Add cooked and drained pasta to sauce and toss to combine.  Serve sprinkled with chopped fresh parsley or basil, if desired.