Who doesn’t love some good spaghetti for dinner? With this simple and healthy recipe, you can make your own homemade sauce fast in the time it takes to boil water and cook the pasta!
(Any information in the post is for general information purposes only and is NOT medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for individual medical and nutrition advice.)
Spaghetti has been a staple in households with kids for as long as I can remember. In my house, it’s one of my “emergency” meals, a meal I can prepare quickly with just a few staple ingredients. That’s why I always keep a box of pasta, a few cans of diced tomatoes and tomato paste in the pantry, along with a bag of meatballs and some vegetables in the freezer. It’s a complete, healthful meal that satisfies everyone in the home, that will last for months without going bad.
Although many may balk at the idea of using canned tomatoes rather than fresh, this recipe is meant to be fast and simple, not gourmet. Would I use fresh tomatoes if I had hours to prepare a fresh home-cooked sauce? Of course! But let’s face it, I am a busy mom and have other ways to spend my time. Canned tomatoes are also quite inexpensive, and can be purchased in bulk when on sale, to save even more money.
To keep the sodium content of this sauce low (and make it even healthier) I purchase the “no salt added” variety of canned tomatoes. Where I shop, there are often at least 2-3 different brands of diced, petite diced, and crushed “no salt added” tomatoes. The type you purchase is up to you. For a chunkier, thicker sauce, go with the diced or petite diced. For a sauce with a smoother consistency, crushed tomatoes work great.
What I love most about this sauce recipe is its versatility. This is a great base, to which a variety of ingredients can be added. For a delicious meat sauce, simply brown a pound of ground beef or turkey and mix it in prior to simmering. Want more of a marinara sauce? Add some diced onions and bell peppers. Looking for some spice? Crushed red pepper tastes great with this. I also like to use this with other Italian-style dishes, like chicken parmesan or stuffed peppers.
Fast and Easy Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cans No Salt Added Petite Diced Tomatoes (14.5 oz each)
- 1 can Tomato Paste (12 oz)
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
Directions
- In a medium-size saucepan, combine the tomatoes (undrained) and tomato paste and stir until well blended
- Add the dried ingredients (garlic powder, basil, and oregano) and mix well
- Over low heat, gently simmer the sauce, mixing every few minutes, for 20-30 minutes
Time-Saving Tip: Add about 1 pound of pre-cooked, frozen meatballs to the sauce prior to cooking, mix well, then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 6 servings (about 1/2 cup each)
- 80 Calories
- 0 g Fat
- 3 g Protein
- 45 mg Sodium
- 16 g Total Carbohydrate
- 4.5 g Fiber
*Nutrition information is approximate and based on the products that I buy in my home. Information will vary based on the products purchased in your home.