Save Money with this Frugal Homemade Pasta Sauce

Making your own pasta sauce is a great way to save money while giving your family the best. If you grow a garden and can your own tomatoes you can make this for nearly free. If not tomato paste from your local Aldi is only 29 cents a can.

This is how we make our pasta sauce for cheaper than the $1 cans at the supermarket. Even better we pack extra flavor into our frugal homemade pasta sauce.

Make your own frugal homemade pasta sauce

1. 1 can of tomato paste per 3 servings needed
2. leftover onions, peppers, and tomatoes from completely optional.
3. garlic powder
4. minced onion
5. Italian herbs and spices
6. water

Dump tomato paste into your sauce pan.

Fill each can with water and dump into your pan three times.

Stir well over low heat.

Chop any veggies you plan to add to your sauce and toss in. Continue to stir and simmer.

Dump in herbs and spices to taste.

Once you have made your sauce you can add your usual choice of meats and pasta for a quick and flavorful frugal meal.

Why you should make your own pasta sauce

Better taste: Homemade pasta sauce can be customized to your specific tastes and preferences, resulting in a sauce that is richer and more flavorful than store-bought options.

Healthier ingredients: When you make your own sauce, you have control over the ingredients you use, allowing you to avoid preservatives, artificial flavors, and other additives that may be present in store-bought sauces.

Cost-effective: Making your own sauce can be a cost-effective option, especially if you use ingredients that are in season or on sale.

Flexibility: Homemade pasta sauce can be adapted to suit a variety of dietary needs and preferences, such as using gluten-free pasta or adding more vegetables. This is good if you are dealing with picky eaters.

Cooking skills: Making your own sauce can be a fun way to improve your cooking skills and experiment with new ingredients and flavors.

How to put a twist on homemade pasta sauce

Use high-quality ingredients: Start with fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and quality olive oil. I like to use tomato paste I canned myself at home fresh form the garden.

Cook it low and slow: Simmer your sauce over low heat for several hours to allow the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.

Add depth of flavor: Add ingredients such as caramelized onions, roasted garlic, or red wine to add depth of flavor.

Experiment with spices: Try adding spices such as oregano, basil, thyme, or red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor of your sauce.

Blend the sauce: Blend your sauce in a blender or food processor to create a smoother texture.

Use cheese: Grate some Parmesan or pecorino cheese into your sauce for added flavor and richness.

Add sweetness: Add a pinch of sugar or honey to your sauce to balance out any acidity.

Finish with fresh herbs: Add a handful of fresh basil, parsley, or oregano at the end of cooking for a burst of fresh flavor.

What are your favorite frugal meals that help you save money?