Make this easy tomato paste pasta sauce with just 5 ingredients in 10 minutes for a rich, umami-packed pantry dinner you’ll want to eat on repeat.

Yes, really. That stuff that comes in a tube or small can can be used to make a sauce all on its own. Ok, not entirely on its own, it does need the help of water to dilute it before you then reduce it to a sauce consistency. Sure, it might seem counter-intuitive to dilute a concentrated version of tomato, to then cook it back down to more of a concentrated version once again, but I’m telling you this is truly a fantastic recipe to have in your arsenal for times when you want to make a quick and delicious tomato sauce but surprise-surprise, all you can find it your pantry is a little tube of tomato paste.

I like to start by frying off a little bit of garlic, and I more often than not add some sobrasada (a chorizo paste) or ‘nduja - something to add a little bit of extra pizazz - but this is not essential at all. You can really play with this recipe, adding lots of different things to the sauce like sausage meat, tuna, some anchovies - the works! However, it’s equally lovely kept simple.

Consider the below recipe as a base and enjoy trying out a few things :)

PS if you’re looking for something to pair this with, why not make my ultimate crunchy green salad!

Why you’ll love this tomato paste pasta sauce

Only 5 simple pantry ingredients.
Ready in 10 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Rich, deep flavour without slow cooking.
Budget-friendly and scalable for meal prep.
Pairs beautifully with any pasta shape.

Ingredients you’ll need

Tomato paste (2 tbsp) - use double concentrate for richer flavour.
Olive oil (2 tbsp) - for richness and to bloom the garlic.
Garlic (2-3 cloves, minced) - fresh for best flavour.
Salt (to taste) - adjust depending on your pasta water.
Pasta water (½ cup) - or plain water if needed.

Optional extras for pizazz:

Sobrasada (chorizo paste), or ‘nduja paste
Red pepper flakes for heat.
Fresh basil or parsley to finish.
Grated parmesan for serving.

How to make tomato paste pasta sauce

1. Start by cooking the pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook your favourite pasta. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Sauté the garlic

In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

3. Dilute the tomato paste

Add water to tomato paste to dilute. Then add this mixture to the pan with the garlic and stir, letting it cook for 1-2 minutes until it darkens slightly and caramelises.

4. Bring it all together

Season with salt and add a splash of pasta water, stirring to create a silky sauce. Adjust consistency by adding more water if needed, the finally add your cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing until fully coated.

Tips and Variations

Add a splash of white wine for brightness.
Add some anchovy fillets with the garlic for extra umami.
Stir through a knob of butter for a silky finish.
Add a pinch of sugar if your tomato paste is very acidic.
You can scale this recipe really easily - perfect for larger portions or batch cooking!

FAQs

Can I use tomato puree instead of tomato paste? Tomato paste has a more concentrated flavour, while puree is thinner and milder. If using puree, cook it down longer to reduce and intensify the flavour.

Can I use this sauce for pizza? Yes! Simply cook the sauce until it is thicker, then spread over your pizza base.

How do I store this sauce? Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

I hope you love this easy tomato paste pasta sauce! It’s one of my most popular recipes and I love seeing you make it - if you try it, please tag me on Instagram so I can see!