Emergency Pasta Sauce
When time is tight and your pantry is sparse, this "Emergency Pasta Sauce" recipe comes to the rescue with bold flavors and minimal effort! Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy pasta sauce combines kitchen staples like canned crushed tomatoes, olive oil, and dried herbs to deliver a rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavor profile. A hint of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle kick. Perfect for busy weeknights, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta or serves as a delicious base for pizzas and casseroles. Simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor, it’s your go-to solution for last-minute dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pieces garlic cloves
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup water (optional)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves. Add them to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well.
Add the dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add up to 1/4 cup of water to achieve your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste.
Serve immediately over cooked pasta or use as a topping for other dishes like pizza or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
383 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.0 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.3 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1679 mg | 73% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.7 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.1 g | ||
| Protein | 5.6 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 99 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 876 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
