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)

Potato Nachos
Small plates of baked potato slices topped with lettuce, salsa and cilantro.

Potato Nachos

These potato nachos make for a flavorful, filling and nutritious meal. Add your favorite nacho toppings!
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Spinach with Garbanzo Beans
Bowl of bright green salad with beans.

Spinach with Garbanzo Beans

Garlicky, tender garbanzo beans sauteed with spinach for a warm and delicious meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Maple Glazed Turnips
Baking dish filled with sweet potatoes and turnips sprinkled with cinnamon.

Maple Glazed Turnips

A warm and flavorful dish that combines maple and cinnamon with hearty root vegetables.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Vegetarian Tamales
Plate of corn husks with a doughy vegetable filling.

Vegetarian Tamales

Thanks to Victor Villegas and the OSU Extension Latin Heritage Workgroup for this recipe.
Prepare:
1 hour
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
15 Tamales
North African Spice Mix
Wooden bowl with ground spices.

North African Spice Mix

A warm and fragrant blend of dried herbs and spices for rubbing on proteins and vegetables, and for seasoning soups, stews and marinades.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
10 Tablespoons
Pickled Cabbage Slaw
Shallow bowl of pickled cabbage and sliced vegetables.

Pickled Cabbage Slaw

Enjoy with pupusas, tacos, quesadillas or grilled fish.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups