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)

Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry
Plate of stir-fried kale with cranberries.

Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry

A sweet and savory recipe with a hint of fresh citrus. A great way to add dark leafy greens to your meals!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Radish and Cucumber Salad
Platter of thinly sliced cucumbers and radishes with a seasoned yogurt sauce.

Radish and Cucumber Salad

Crisp cucumbers, radishes, creamy yogurt and flavorful garlic make this the perfect summer salad.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Veggie Quiche Muffins
Plate of golden baked egg, vegetable and cheese quiches.

Veggie Quiche Muffins

Healthy grab and go breakfast that is warm, savory and filling.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
12 muffins
Any Berry Sauce
A serving bowl of Any Berry Sauce is shown with a plate of 3 pancakes that have sauce spread on top and a few fresh berries on the side.

Any Berry Sauce

This easy make-ahead berry sauce is perfect for pancakes, oatmeal or yogurt any time of year.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ¼ cups
Apple Bars
Baked Apple Bars with oatmeal crumble on top are displayed on a platter.

Apple Bars

A comforting apple bar with an easy crust, spiced apple filling and crumble topping.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
12 bars
Slow Cooker Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili
Colorful bowls of thick chili served with green onion.

Slow Cooker Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili

This simple-to-make and healthy slow cooker chili is full of flavor. Substitute any vegetables you have on hand and freeze extras for an easy lunch.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
2 to 6 hours
Makes:
12 cups