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)

Rice Bowl Breakfast with Fruit and Nuts
Rice and fruit topped with chopped nuts.

Rice Bowl Breakfast with Fruit and Nuts

A great breakfast idea with filling grains, crunchy nuts and your favorite fruit.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Salsa Verde
Bowl of green textured salsa.

Salsa Verde

This delicious green salsa uses tomatillos and green peppers to make a sauce that can be used with a variety of dishes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie
Photo of Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie

Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie

Enjoy a fresh taste of spring any time of year with this smoothie.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Butternut Apple Crisp
Butternut squash and apples are topped with a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble baked to a golden brown.

Butternut Apple Crisp

Butternut squash and apples are topped with a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble for a healthy fall dessert.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad
Photo of Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad

Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad

Fresh and colorful salad with a tangy homemade dressing!
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Pasta Ratatouille
Rotini noodles with vegetables and shredded cheese.

Pasta Ratatouille

Fresh summer veggies and herbs make the perfect topping for hearty pasta.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
9 cups