Skip to main content

Quick Tomato Pasta Sauce

A simple and delicious pasta sauce that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Tomato sauce served over spaghetti noodles.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 2 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic minced or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced or crushed tomatoes
¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper
1 Tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh garlic under running water before preparing.
  3. In a medium saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. (If using garlic powder, omit oil and skip this step).
  4. Add tomatoes, salt and black pepper. Add lemon juice and red pepper flakes, if desired. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. For a thicker sauce, cook an extra 10 to 20 minutes to allow more liquid to evaporate.
  5. Serve over pasta, or use in any recipe that calls for pasta sauce.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Comments

WOW!!!   This is for sure one of my fav Food Hero recipes because it tastes amazing (my family continues to say its a better sauce than anything from a jar/can) and it saves money and is soooooo quick!!  Try it!!  I have not ever used the lemon juice called for.  And i have used it as a pasta sauce with noodles, but also used it when a recipe calls for tomato sauce.  I always keep canned tomatoes in my pantry (stocking up when they are on sale) and boxed pasta so this recipe gets used a lot when I am in a hurry and need a quick dinner idea.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Berry Blast Off
A sundae glass filled with layers of sliced strawberries, granola, blueberries and creamy yogurt.

Berry Blast Off

This parfait combines granola, berries and yogurt for the perfect breakfast, snack or dessert!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Chilled Strawberry-Rhubarb Soup
Pink fruit soup garnished with fresh mint.

Chilled Strawberry-Rhubarb Soup

Pair the sweet and tart flavors of strawberries and rhubarb for a refreshing dessert, snack or breakfast bowl topping.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Cherry Puff Pancake
Photo of Cherry Puff Pancake

Cherry Puff Pancake

A fun to bake pancake recipe known by some as a Dutch Baby. Try with cherries or your favorite fruit.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 pieces
Kale Dip
Cottage cheese and kale-based dip served with celery, carrot sticks and crackers.

Kale Dip

This recipe combines greens and cottage cheese for a dip that is perfect for veggies!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cups
Tomato Pasta Salad
Bowls of colorful spiral pasta with olives and broccoli.

Tomato Pasta Salad

Great make ahead-meal with fresh veggies, Italian herbs and a tangy dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Whole-Wheat Yogurt Rolls
Platter of golden whole-wheat rolls.

Whole-Wheat Yogurt Rolls

These warm and toasty rolls are ready in 30 minutes with only 4 ingredients.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
10 Rolls