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    Home » Recipe Index » Pasta Dishes

    Canned Tomato Pasta for One

    February 17, 2020 Updated April 9, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Entrees, Pantry Dinners, Pasta Dishes

    Jump to Recipe
    simple pasta in a white bowl with ingredients surrounding it
    15 minute pasta and ingredients on a table with text overlay

    Make this easy canned tomato pasta for one 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.

    simple pasta in a white bowl with sausage on top and ingredients behind

    [This canned tomato 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

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good pasta recipes
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    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.

    I love throwing together this easy pasta recipe for a quick pantry dinner. I always have a can of diced tomatoes, pasta, and seasonings. It's quick, and bursting with flavor, no need to simmer the sauce for hours.

    Starting with the onions and sausage infuses the tomato sauce with more flavor, so I recommend using sausage if you have it. You can use TVP (my favorite inexpensive soy based protein), just add lots of Italian seasoning and oil to it after hydrating it.

    Double the recipe for dinner & leftovers for lunch tomorrow, you'll use a whole can of diced tomatoes this way.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the canned tomato pasta recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick description of what's in this recipe.

    • Pasta: Spaghetti is a nice pasta for this sauce, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
    • Olive oil
    • Onion: sauteeing some onion, especially with Italian sausage adds sweetness and flavor to your simple sauce. It's a great addition
    • Italian sausage: this canned tomato pasta is great with Italian sausage. The sausage adds some flavor and savoriness to the sauce, but you can use ground beef, pork, meatballs, or TVP (vegetarian). Use what you have or prefer.
    • Diced tomatoes: This recipe uses ½ can of diced tomatoes, you can double it to use a full can, or use the leftovers in another recipe. See recipe suggestions above recipe card to use leftover tomatoes.
    • Italian seasoning
    • Basil
    • Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    Start making your canned tomato pasta by preparing your pasta: cook ½ c pasta according to box directions.

    sliced sausage and chopped onion in a small frypan

    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. 

    diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and sausage in a small frypan

    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.

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store leftover canned tomato sauce and pasta, separately in airtight containers. It should last about a week. You can freeze leftover canned tomato pasta sauce and sausage. I'd just recommend freezing it in individual servings.

    To reheat, heat pasta and canned tomato sauce, covered in the microwave. Add a dash of water to sauce to help it get creamy again.

    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, you can swap the sausage for ground beef, pork, or TVP (with lots of Italian seasonings and some oil added).

    FAQ

    What can I do with canned tomatoes?

    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.

    Are canned tomatoes good for pasta?

    Yes! 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.

    Do you drain canned tomatoes for pasta sauce?

    It depends on the pasta sauce recipe, but you probably won't drain the tomatoes for many. It helps prevent burning, and adds flavor to your sauce. But make sure to read the recipe before draining your tomatoes.

    Simple pasta in a bowl on a table with other ingredients

    Other good pasta recipes

    • Pasta Carbonara with Lemon
    • Pesto Pasta for One
    • Protein Mac and Cheese for One
    • Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    • Gnocchi Carbonara for Two

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Sausage: Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Gnocchi and 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: Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Coconut Green Lentil Curry, Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake, 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!

    simple pasta in a white bowl with sausage on top and ingredients behind

    Canned Tomato Pasta for One

    Make this easy canned tomato pasta for one 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.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    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 cup 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.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this canned tomato pasta delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Pasta Dishes

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      Single Serving Baked Mac and Cheese (5 ingredients!)
    • close up of pasta with mushrooms, bacon, and chicken with a fork in it
      Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One
    • pesto pasta with parmesan cheese on top
      Pesto Pasta for One

    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Scarlet | Family Focus Blog says

      February 18, 2020 at 10:54 am

      This looks like a great easy pasta recipe for after a long day at work. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:59 pm

        exactly 🙂

        Reply
    2. Paula Montenegro says

      February 18, 2020 at 2:49 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:59 pm

        yay! thanks

        Reply
    3. Jeannette says

      February 18, 2020 at 12:43 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:58 pm

        right?! they're the best

        Reply
    4. Jayne says

      February 17, 2020 at 11:21 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. Quick easy on the table. Happy family! thanks.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:58 pm

        totally! thanks

        Reply
    5. Sara Welch says

      February 17, 2020 at 9:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! And I love how quickly it comes together; so delicious!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        thanks! it totally is

        Reply
    6. Kacey Perez says

      February 17, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      Always up for a quick and easy weekday meal! Also nothing better than using up the ingredients laying around the kitchen!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 17, 2020 at 8:28 pm

        totally!

        Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        totally agree!

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes

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