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