• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Barbara Bakes™
  • Home
  • About
  • Info
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Breads
  • Breakfast
  • Dessert
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastry
    • All Desserts »
  • Main Dishes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Pasta
    • Meatless
    • All Main Dishes »
  • Side Dishes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Pasta

    Quick Pasta Sauce

    Published by Melissa on June 1, 2021 | Updated June 10, 2022 | Leave a Comment

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Jump to Recipe

    This is the best quick pasta sauce recipe to make a flavorful all-purpose marinara sauce for your favorite pasta dishes with crushed tomatoes, garlic and a bit of spice. 

    red pot with quick marinara sauce and fresh basil on top

    ❤️ Why You’ll Love this Recipe: This is an easy and simple marinara sauce recipe that uses pantry staple ingredients. You can whip this sauce together in minutes for a fast pasta dinner any night of the week. 

    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. But these days, I use it whenever I need a savory and flavorful tomato sauce. 

    pinterest button for homemade tomato sauce

    How to Make Quick 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. However, 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. 

    Note: let the sauce cool a bit before you blend the sauce in a standing blender to prevent explosions. 

    ingredients to make quick pasta sauce with canned crushed tomatoes in a pot on the stove

    Can I Use Whole Tomatoes?

    It’s important to use crushed tomatoes in this recipe. That’s because they already have a saucy consistency and don’t need to be simmered long to create an easy and flavorful sauce. 

    We like S&W brand crushed tomatoes in a rich puree. If your crushed tomatoes are not saucy enough, you can also blend them with an immersion blender. 

    red pot of quick pasta sauce with fresh basil on top

    Can I Use Garlic Powder?

    You can make this pasta sauce recipe with fresh garlic or garlic powder. 

    If you’re using fresh garlic, quickly saute the garlic in olive oil as a first step to building your sauce. Stir it frequently while cooking so it doesn’t burn and make sure to use low heat. 

    Once you can smell the cooked garlic and red pepper flakes, you’ll want to immediately add the crushed tomatoes. So be sure to have the can opened and ready to use before you start cooking.

    On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry and want to use garlic powder, that works well. Simply add the garlic powder with the dried basil and salt.

    pasta with quick tomato sauce on top

    Recipes to Use Quick Marinara Sauce

    Go ahead and make a big batch of this easy pasta sauce, you can use it in dozens of dishes! Here are some I love:

    • As a sauce for All-American Pizza, topped with gooey cheese and pepperoni. 
    • With light chicken parmesan, which features crisp breaded chicken and delicious toamto sauce. 
    • Instant Pot Bowtie Pasta, which is a kid-approved weeknight dinner that just needs a simple tomato sauce to send it over the top. 
    red pot with quick marinara sauce and fresh basil on top
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Quick Pasta Sauce

    This Quick Pasta sauce starts with a can of crushed tomatoes and takes less than 10 minutes to make a savory and versatile sauce. 
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Appetizers and Snacks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: quick pasta sauce
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 97kcal
    Author: Barbara Bakes LLC
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Equipment

    • [Upgraded Version] Maxracy 2 Set Silicone Garlic Peeler Easy Roller Peeling Tube Odor Free Useful Kitchen Tool—Color: Red, Blue
    • OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press, Black, One Size

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 502mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « Creamsicle Opera Cake
    Baked Spaghetti Squash »
    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Melissa and Barbara smiling

    Baking made easy! Sharing fabulous recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, breads and more. Barbara Bakes (and Melissa too!) Recipes from both of our kitchens to yours.

    Learn More »

    Popular Posts

    meat and beans sandwiched between two tacos covered in salsa, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream

    Mexican Pizza

    Three small loaves of French bread in a basket with a blue and white napkin

    Julia Child’s French Bread

    German-Chocolate-Cake-Barbara-Bakes

    Easy 5-Ingredient German Chocolate Cake

    Featured Image for post Easy To Make Naan - Indian Flatbread

    Easy To Make Naan – Indian Flatbread

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Press

    Browse

    • Recipe Index
    • Popular
    • Baking Tips
    • Travel

    Subscribe

    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon affiliate, and affiliate with other businesses, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 barbarabakes.com. All rights reserved. DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY.