Make this easy canned tomato pasta with pantry ingredients. It comes together in just 15 minutes and doesn't taste like you threw it together. Add freshly cooked pasta, a can of tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, and Italian sausage.
[This pasta recipe was originally posted in November 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
How will this pasta dish make your life easier?
This canned tomato pasta is made with pantry basics (even the sausage thanks to a meat sale that I just stocked up on), it actually just takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
Double the recipe for dinner & leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Here are a couple other quick recipes like Pasta Carbonara, Ugandan Chapati Roll (or egg roll up), Black Bean Veggie Tacos, White Bean & Farro Bowl, Easy Baked Salmon, or check out all my favorite pasta recipes.
What makes this pasta with tomato sauce so good?
- Pasta
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Italian sausage
- Diced tomatoes
- Italian seasoning
- Basil
- Parmesan cheese
How to make canned tomatoes pasta
Start making your canned tomato pasta by preparing your pasta: cook ½ c pasta according to box directions.
Place saucepan on burner, at medium heat. Slice yellow onion and one sausage. Add olive oil, then sausage and onions to saucepan, once it's been heated. Cook until sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes.
Once sausage is browned, add diced canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to tomatoes. Cover and cook on medium heat for at least 5 minutes.
Place your canned tomato pasta into a bowl. Top with grated parmesan cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil if desired. Enjoy.
Substitutions/Tips
- It's ok if onions aren't soft after cooking a couple minutes, they'll continue to cook with the tomatoes.
- Use your favorite sausage, and freeze leftover sausages if they won't be eaten in 3-5 days.
- Substitute sausage for ground beef or pork or chicken. You may need to add extra seasonings since the sausage is seasoned.
- If you have extra time, lower heat to low and cook sauce for longer. Just stir occasionally for a sweeter, more robust flavored pasta.
- Other great add-ins: minced garlic (add after softening onions), red pepper flakes.
FAQ
Canned tomatoes are so versatile. They're great in pasta sauces, like this canned tomato pasta, also in salsa, and other dishes like Lentil Curry.
They're often more flavorful than grocery tomatoes, less expensive, and last longer.
Regular diced tomatoes are a great pasta sauce base, just add seasonings to them, like in this canned tomato pasta.
You can also use San Marzano tomatoes, which are sweeter, and canned tomatoes with parsley and other seasonings.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Sausage: Simmer in some pasta sauce and place in a hoagie bun or a leftover pita from these chicken salad pitas to make an 'Italian sausage sandwich' or serve with these Roasted Winter Veggies.
- Diced tomatoes: South African Spiced Shakshuka, Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Coconut Green Lentil Curry, or add to this Microwave Egg Bowl.
- Pasta: Easy Pasta with Mushroom Sauce, sub for penne in this Jerk Shrimp Pasta, One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta, or Pasta Carbonara.
Did you make this canned tomato pasta? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Canned Tomato Pasta
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ onion chopped
- 1 precooked Italian sausage
- ½ can diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- fresh/dried basil
- grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare pasta by cooking ½ c pasta according to box directions.
- Place saucepan on burner, at medium heat. Slice ⅛ whole yellow onion and one sausage. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sausage and onions to saucepan, once it's been heated. Cook until sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes.
- Once sausage is browned, add ½ can of diced tomatoes, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to tomatoes. Cover and cook on medium heat for at least 5 minutes.
- Pour pasta into bowl, then top with sauce and sausage. Top with grated parmesan cheese and thinly sliced basil.
Notes
- It's ok if onions aren't soft yet, but they'll continue to cook with the tomatoes.
- Use your favorite sausage, and freeze leftover sausages if they won't be eaten in 3-5 days.
- If you have extra time, lower heat to low and cook sauce for longer. Just stir occasionally.
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Scarlet | Family Focus Blog says
This looks like a great easy pasta recipe for after a long day at work. Thanks!
Rebecca says
exactly 🙂
Paula Montenegro says
Made in 15 minutes and it has sausage, this is my dream pasta! I have a feeling it will become a regular weekday meal. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca says
yay! thanks
Jeannette says
15 minute meals are everything, but 15 minute pasta dishes are just what I love to see! Thanks for sharing something that comes together so quickly and uses such tasty ingredients!
Rebecca says
right?! they're the best
Jayne says
Love this recipe. Quick easy on the table. Happy family! thanks.
Rebecca says
totally! thanks
Sara Welch says
This is everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! And I love how quickly it comes together; so delicious!
Rebecca says
thanks! it totally is
Kacey Perez says
Always up for a quick and easy weekday meal! Also nothing better than using up the ingredients laying around the kitchen!
Rebecca says
totally!
Rebecca says
totally agree!