How To Make Tomato Sauce From Tomato Paste
May 16, 2023, Updated Jun 05, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Did you know you can make a super quick and delicious tomato sauce from paste? It really doesn’t get easier than this pantry staple pasta sauce. The tomato paste is caramelized with olive oil, garlic, and Calabrian chili peppers to create a rich and robust red sauce with little effort and few ingredients. Bonus- we use the entire tube of tomato paste, so there are no leftovers!
Serve with breaded chicken and homemade ciabatta bread.
Homemade tomato sauce using tomato paste is one of those Italian sauces you will love for its simplicity and amazing flavor. We use reserved pasta water to thicken the savory sauce and create a delicious coating for the perfectly cooked pasta. It makes a go-to pasta recipe and a great alternative to traditional marinara sauce. You can also use this as a pizza sauce!
This is the easiest way to enjoy a simple spaghetti sauce in less time. An easy dish you will make again and again. More pasta recipes you will love: Amatriciana Sauce, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Pasta with Pink Sauce, and Pasta Carbonara.
This post is sponsored by DeLallo – I only support and work with brands with high-quality products I love and actually use and eat. All opinions are my own and these tomato products are some of my favorites!
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
You only need a few pantry ingredients to make this super flavorful and restaurant-worthy tomato paste pasta sauce. Feel free to use any pasta shape you prefer. I love twirling my fork with spaghetti, but any short pasta will go well with this tomato based pasta sauce.
- Garlic cloves
- DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- DeLallo Calabrian Chili Pepper Paste
- DeLallo Tomato Paste
- Kosher salt
- DeLallo Spaghetti, Shellbows, or Rigatoni
- Freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese (parmesan)
- Fresh basil leaves or fresh parsley for garnish
- Reserved pasta water
See the recipe card for quantities.
This Quick Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce Recipe has only a few ingredients, so you must use the best quality for the best results. I love the high-quality Italian products at DeLallo for this recipe and many other dishes.
- DeLallo’s affordable gourmet Italian products are available at most local grocery stores in the United States. If you can’t find them, you can order from DeLallo’s website anytime and deliver them to your home. Shipping is nationwide!
- DeLallo is a family-run company that was founded in 1950 in Pennsylvania. They have a wide selection of products ranging from pantry essentials to pasta to charcuterie, making it effortless to impress your family and friends with a taste of Italy.
There are several reasons why you will love making tomato sauce with tomato paste:
- Concentrated Flavor: Tomato paste is made by cooking down tomatoes until they are reduced to a concentrated paste. As a result, tomato paste has a much richer and more intense flavor than regular canned or fresh tomatoes. Using tomato paste in your sauce can help to deepen the tomato flavor and give your sauce a more complex taste.
- Thicker Consistency: Tomato paste is also thicker than canned or fresh tomatoes. Using tomato paste in your sauce can achieve a thicker, more velvety texture that coats your pasta well.
- Shelf Life: Tomato paste has a longer shelf life than fresh tomatoes, so keep it on hand in your pantry for longer periods. This makes it a convenient option for making tomato sauce at home without having to worry about your ingredients going bad.
- Convenience: Tomato paste is easy to use and comes in a convenient can or tube. You don’t have to worry about peeling, seeding, or pureeing fresh tomatoes, which can be time-consuming and messy.
Using tomato paste in your tomato sauce can help to create a more flavorful, thicker, and more convenient sauce that is perfect for pasta dishes and other recipes!
How To Make Tomato Sauce From Paste
You will love how fast this tomato paste pasta sauce comes together!
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and Calabrian Chili Peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is softened and slightly golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomato paste is caramelized and dark red in color, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
Meanwhile, add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente—reserve 2 cups of pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.
Add the pasta water to the skillet and stir to combine with the tomato paste mixture. Use a whisk to combine the mixture until smooth. Let the sauce simmer over medium-high heat, for about 1 minute. Reduce to low heat.
Add the pasta and toss until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta completely, about 1-2 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat. Add the parmigiano cheese and toss to combine. Serve with extra grated parmigiano, fresh basil leaves, and more Calabrian chili pepper paste if desired. Serve hot. Buon appetito!
FAQ’s
Yes, you can use tomato sauce, or canned tomatoes, instead of tomato paste, but the resulting sauce will be thinner and less concentrated in flavor. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe to compensate for the thinner consistency.
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. Make sure to cool the sauce completely before storing it and reheat it thoroughly before serving.
Make sure to stir the sauce frequently while it’s cooking to prevent it from burning or sticking to the skillet. You can also add a splash of water or broth if the sauce is too thick or dry. Once you add the hot pasta water it will turn into a thicker sauce.
Yes, you can use other types of pasta besides spaghetti, such as penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, or linguine. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions for the specific type of pasta you’re using.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some variations to the tomato paste pasta sauce recipe to help you mix things up the next time you try it.
- Extra Spicy Tomato Paste Sauce: Add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or black pepper to the sauce to give it some heat.
- Creamy Tomato Sauce: Stir in some heavy cream, cream cheese, or half-and-half to the sauce to make it creamy and rich.
- Meaty Tomato Paste Sauce: Brown some ground beef or Italian sausage in the skillet before adding the garlic and tomato paste. Let it simmer with the sauce for added flavor and protein.
- Veggie Tomato Paste Sauce: Add some chopped veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomato, grape tomatoes, san marzano plum tomatoes, or mushrooms to the sauce to give it some extra nutrition and flavor.
- Herby Tomato Paste Sauce: Add some fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme to the sauce for a burst of freshness.
- Lemon Tomato Paste Sauce: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice into the sauce to brighten up the flavors and add a zesty tang.
- Cheesy Tomato Paste Sauce: Stir some shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese into the sauce for a cheesy twist.
These are just a few ideas to help you get creative with your tomato paste pasta sauce. Feel free to experiment and add your own favorite ingredients and flavors to make the sauce your own!
Storage Instructions
If you have leftover pasta, store it in the refrigerator or freezer to enjoy later. Here are some tips on how to store leftover pasta properly:
- Refrigerate: Place the leftover pasta in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure the container or bag is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from getting in. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: If you want to store the pasta for a longer period, you can freeze it. Place the pasta in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheat: Heat leftover pasta in the microwave or stovetop to reheat leftover pasta. If using the microwave, place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If using the stovetop, heat the pasta in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated.
- Add Sauce: If the leftover pasta is dry, add some sauce or a splash of water or broth to help rehydrate it before reheating.
Top tips
- Let the tomato paste caramelize with olive oil, garlic, and Calabrian chili peppers. This adds a robust and unique flavor to the dish.
- Cook Pasta Perfectly. Salt the water to flavor the pasta from the inside out. Only cook until al dente. Read: How Long to Boil Spaghetti Pasta Perfectly Every Time.
- Finish cooking the pasta in the pan and toss it with the warm sauce.
More Recipes
Looking for other recipes to try? Here are a few ideas:
What to Serve with Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce Recipe
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce Recipe:
💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Print
Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Quick Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce Recipe with Spaghetti- it doesn’t get easier than this pantry staple pasta sauce. The tomato paste is caramelized with olive oil, garlic, and Calabrian chili peppers to create a rich and robust red sauce with little effort and few ingredients. Bonus- we use the entire small can of tomato paste, so no leftovers!
Ingredients
- 3 large cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2– 1 teaspoon (depends how spicy you like it) DeLallo Calabrain Chili Pepper Paste, plus more for serving
- 1 tube (4.6 ounce) DeLallo Tomato Paste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound dried pasta, such as DeLallo Spaghetti or Rigatoni
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese (parmesan)
- Chopped fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and Calabrian Chili Peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is softened and slightly golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomato paste is caramelized and dark red in color, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Meanwhile, add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente—reserve 2 cups of pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.
- Add the pasta water to the skillet and stir to combine with the tomato paste mixture. Use a whisk to combine the mixture until smooth. Let the sauce simmer over medium-high heat for about 1-2 minutes. Reduce to low heat. Add the pasta and toss until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta completely, about 1 minute.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add the parmigiano cheese and toss to combine. Serve with extra grated parmigiano, fresh basil leaves, and more Calabrian chili pepper paste if desired. Serve hot. Buon appetito!
Notes
-
- Let the tomato paste caramelize with olive oil, garlic, and Calabrian chili peppers. This adds a robust and unique flavor to the dish.
-
- Cook Pasta Perfectly. Salt the water to flavor the pasta from the inside out. Only cook until al dente. Read: How Long to Boil Spaghetti Pasta Perfectly Every Time.
-
- Finish cooking the pasta in the pan and toss it with the warm sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
I appreciate the tips on seasoning and customizing the sauce to personal taste
https://vida-food.com/creative-ways-to-use-tomato-paste-in-your-recipes/
You are most welocome!
this turned out so good! thanks for the recipe!
absolutely! Here’s to many more!
Love this sauce! So quick and easy! My husband loves ‘additional sauce on the side’ so I have also just made this sauce and he has put it over the Delallo calabrian parmesan butter shellbows. https://www.delallo.com/recipe/calabrian-parmesan-butter-with-shellbows/. I love your recipes and my husband loves Italian food so you are a win for me!! Adding this to the other recipes of yours that we love!!
Yay! So happy you love this one and others. I love DeLallo products.
Loved how simple this was and have always wanted to try Calabrian chiles. Just enough kick for me, but the rest of the fam would like me to bump it up even more. Great recipe! Thanks, Elena!
Love the extra spice it brings with a certain depth in flavor!
I was pretty skeptical about trying this recipe, with it having so much water in it, BUT it was really delicious and very easy to make. This will be on the menu from now on.
Happy you loved it! Yes, the pasta water makes that delicious sauce. Letting it cook a bit in the pan thickens it and really adds flavor. Yum!
This recipe is so easy and full of flavor!