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.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 2

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)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well.

Step 4

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add up to 1/4 cup of water to achieve your desired consistency.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste.

Step 8

Serve immediately over cooked pasta or use as a topping for other dishes like pizza or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	500.1 grams (500.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	383

Total Fat 29.00g	37%
Saturated Fat 4.30g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1679mg	73%
Total Carbohydrate 30.70g	11%
Dietary Fiber 7.50g	27%
Total Sugars 19.10g
Protein 5.60g	11%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 99mg	8%
Iron 4mg	19%
Potassium 876mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.3%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 30.2%