Quick Kitchen Sauce: Easy 10-Minute Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This Quick Kitchen Sauce is a simple and flavorful tomato-based sauce that comes together in minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar (to balance acidity)
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Gather all your ingredients to make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Step 4: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir well to combine with the garlic and olive oil.
5. Step 5: Add the dried oregano and dried basil, stirring to infuse the sauce with flavor.
6. Step 6: If using, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
7. Step 7: Season with salt and pepper to taste, starting with a pinch of each.
8. Step 8: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and honey or sugar to balance the acidity.
9. Step 9: Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. Step 10: While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions and reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
11. Step 11: Prepare any proteins or vegetables you want to add to your meal.
12. Step 12: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
13. Step 13: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water.
14. Step 14: Gently fold in any proteins or vegetables.
15. Step 15: Cook together for another minute or two on low heat to combine flavors.
16. Step 16: Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer sauce, add a splash of red wine along with the balsamic vinegar.
• Swap dried herbs for fresh if available, adding fresh basil at the end ensures a bright flavor.
• Add chopped vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms during simmering for extra nutrition.
• Use honey or sugar sparingly; adjust sweetness based on the acidity of your tomato sauce.
• Make it vegan by omitting Parmesan or using a plant-based alternative.

Storage

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened. You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato sauce?

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but you’ll want to cook and puree them beforehand to achieve a smooth sauce consistency.

What can I add to make this sauce more substantial?

Adding cooked ground meat, grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables, or legumes can turn this sauce into a heartier meal.

Quick Kitchen Sauce: Easy 10-Minute Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 119 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Quick Kitchen Sauce is a simple and flavorful tomato-based sauce recipe that comes together in minutes, perfect for enhancing pasta dishes with a homemade touch. Featuring garlic, herbs, and a balance of tangy and sweet flavors, this sauce is versatile for adding proteins or vegetables for a complete meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sauce Ingredients

• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar (to balance acidity)

Garnish

• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients. Start by gathering all your ingredients to make the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable.
2. Heat Olive Oil. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until hot.
3. Sauté Garlic. Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not burnt.
4. Add Tomato Sauce. Pour in 1 cup of tomato sauce and stir well to combine with the garlic and olive oil.
5. Add Herbs. Stir in 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1 teaspoon of dried basil to infuse the sauce with flavor.
6. Add Heat (Optional). Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want some heat in the sauce.
7. Season. Add salt and pepper to taste, starting with a pinch of each, and adjust as needed later.
8. Add Vinegar and Sweetener. Stir in 1 tablespoon each of balsamic vinegar and honey (or sugar) to balance the acidity of the tomato sauce.
9. Simmer Sauce. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
10. Cook Pasta. While the sauce simmers, boil your pasta according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
11. Prepare Add-ins. Cook any additional proteins or vegetables you want to include with your pasta dish.
12. Adjust Seasoning. After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetness if necessary.
13. Combine Pasta and Sauce. Add the drained pasta to the saucepan with the sauce, tossing to coat well. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it’s too thick.
14. Add Proteins and Vegetables. Fold in any cooked proteins or vegetables gently to combine with the sauce and pasta.
15. Final Cook. Cook everything together on low heat for another 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
16. Serve. Serve the pasta and sauce in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• You can customize the heat level by adjusting or omitting the red pepper flakes.
• Use sugar or honey depending on your preference for sweetness.
• Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried, but add them at the end of cooking to retain flavor.
• Keep a cup of pasta water handy to adjust sauce consistency.
• This sauce pairs well with any pasta variety and can be enhanced with your choice of protein or vegetables.
• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: quick tomato sauce, easy pasta sauce, garlic tomato sauce, homemade pasta sauce, quick kitchen sauce