Looking for a quick pasta sauce that’s bursting with flavor? This easy marinara comes together in minutes, combining crushed tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of spice. It’s the perfect go-to sauce for any pasta night!
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Craving a delicious homemade sauce for pasta that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen? I make this quick pasta sauce recipe all the time at home. I first developed this recipe to serve with baked spaghetti squash for a low-carb weeknight dinner.
Packed with robust flavor and ready in just minutes, it transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy marinara that will become your new go-to recipe. Born from a need for a fast and flavorful sauce, this recipe is perfect for busy home cooks who refuse to compromise on taste.
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Why You’ll Love This Quick Pasta Sauce Recipe
- Super Simple: This marinara sauce uses pantry ingredients you probably already have and comes together in just minutes. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner!
- Totally Customizable: Adjust the garlic and red pepper flakes to suit your taste. Love it spicy? Add more heat. Prefer it mild? Reduce the spice!
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch and store in the refrigerator or freezer. This will come in handy on busy weeknights when you need to make dinner super fast!
- Incredibly Versatile:You can use this sauce in numerous recipes, like my All-American Pizza, Light Chicken Parmesan, and Instant Pot Bowtie Pasta!
- Minimal Ingredients: With just few ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand, this sauce is a total game-changer.
🍝 People always joke that I’m the queen of sauces, and let me tell you, I’ve got one that’ll completely change the way you look at dinner!
Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil — or oil of your choice
- Garlic — finely minced
- Red pepper flakes
- Crushed tomatoes
- Dried basil
- Salt
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Homemade Pasta Sauce
If you have a can of crushed tomatoes in your pantry, you’re just a few minutes from a fresh pot of piping hot homemade tomato sauce.
Using crushed tomatoes in your sauce means it only has to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Saute garlic and red pepper in oil for about 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
It’s best to use crushed tomatoes for this recipe. They already have a saucy consistency and don’t require long cooking to break down. Whole tomatoes would need more time to simmer and might result in a chunkier sauce.
Yes! You can substitute fresh garlic with 1½ teaspoons of garlic powder. Add the garlic powder along with the basil and salt during the cooking process. Just keep in mind that fresh garlic will provide a more vibrant, fresh flavor.
For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pot after cooking, or carefully transfer the sauce to a standing blender. If using a standing blender, let the sauce cool slightly to prevent potential explosions from hot liquid. Blend until you reach your desired consistency.
Expert Tips
- Pasta Trick: Add a splash of starchy pasta cooking water to help the sauce cling better to your noodles.
- Smoother sauce: If you like a smoother pasta sauce, you can easily puree the sauce after cooking. Do so with an immersion blender or in a standing blender.
- Fresh Finish: Stir in torn fresh basil leaves just before serving for a vibrant flavor boost.
- Don’t overcook: Marinara is best when cooked briefly (10-20 min) to maintain fresh tomato flavor.
Storing Pasta Sauce
Cool the sauce completely before storing. In the refrigerator, use an airtight container and consume within 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
When freezing, leave some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion. Label containers with the date of preparation to keep track of freshness. To maintain the best flavor, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.
For added convenience, freeze sauce in smaller portions using ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer sauce cubes to a freezer bag for easy, portioned defrosting.
More Pasta Recipes To Try
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Homemade Quick Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- Maxracy 2 Set Silicone Garlic Peeler Easy Roller Peeling Tube Odor Free Useful Kitchen Tool—Color: Red, Blue
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced*
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat oil over low heat for 1 minute. Add garlic and red pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes stirring frequently.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Notes
- You can substitute 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder but add it with the basil and salt.
- Stir in torn fresh basil leaves just before serving for a bright flavor boost.
- Taste and adjust – Don’t be afraid to customize. Add a pinch more salt, red pepper flakes, or dried basil to match your personal taste preferences.
- Allow the sauce to sit for a few minutes after cooking for flavors to meld.
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