Quick Pasta Sauce (2 Ingredients!)

When you’re short on time and dinner has become an afterthought, this two-ingredient quick pasta sauce has your back! It’s a simple combination of basic tomato sauce and garlic that gives your pasta night that home-cooked feel without taking more than 20 minutes to throw together.

This fun recipe is brought to you by our reader Debra from New York. It’s more of a pasta hack. Nay, kitchen hack. Nay, life hack!!

Debra uses this recipe as a major time saver during pasta nights. It’s a way of amplifying the flavors in a basic can of tomato sauce to give it that homemade flavor without having to go get a bunch of ingredients.

So, let’s learn how to make this quick pasta sauce without further ado!

Just 2 Ingredients

You’ll just need 2 ingredients to make this quick pasta sauce (well, and a splash of oil)! Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Tomato Sauce: I love keeping cans of tomato sauce on hand because they can be made into many things! With minimal added flavors, you can make marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or fun dishes like shakshuka.
• Garlic: We’re going heavy on the garlic because we’re garlic fiends around here. Fresh is always best!

let’s make Pasta Sauce, real quick

Step 1: Saute the Garlic
Heat a splash of oil in a pot or pan over medium heat. Add your minced garlic and cook it, stirring often, until it turns golden and smells fragrant.

Step 2: Add the Tomato Sauce
Pour in your tomato sauce, give it a good stir, then let that simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. It’s ready when that tangy tomato flavor is gone, and it tastes ultra savory and garlicky!

Step 3: Serve!
Serve warm with your favorite kind of pasta. I went with thick and slurpy bucatini noodles!

Flavoring Ideas

This easy pasta recipe is meant to be minimal and quick, but that doesn’t mean you can’t flavor it up with herbs and spices you may have on hand! Here are a few ideas:

• Basil: Fresh or dried basil leaves bring the sauce a classic Italian herb flavor. Add them during cooking or as a garnish before serving.
• Oregano: This is another staple herb in Italian cuisine. It adds a slightly earthy and robust flavor to the sauce. Depending on your preference, you can use dried oregano or fresh leaves.
• Onion: Sautéed onions can provide a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce. Finely chop the onions and cook them until translucent before adding the tomatoes.
• Red pepper flakes: If you like a bit of heat, red pepper flakes can add a spicy kick to the sauce. Adjust the amount according to your spice tolerance.
• Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is a convenient way to add a well-rounded flavor to the sauce. It consists of a pre-mixed blend of dried herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
• Salt and pepper: Seasoning with salt and pepper is essential to bring out the flavors in the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Storage

If you have leftover sauce, keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Leftover pasta tossed in the sauce will last 4 days in the fridge.

You can also freeze the pasta sauce for up to 3 months!

Pairing Ideas

This quick sauce goes well with so many Italian recipes. Here are a few of our favorites!

• Spaghetti Pizza: This is a fun take on spaghetti leftovers.
• Eggplant Meatballs: Douse them in this tomato sauce…yum!
• Zucchini Noodles: They are only made better with a killer sauce.