Five Minute Tomato Sauce Recipe

Healthy, delicious food drives the mind and body. Caregiverlist promotes nutritious and tasty meals for caregivers and seniors. Caregivers need to eat right to keep their body energized and their mind sharp to get through the day. Seniors also require wholesome food to get all the right nutrients to take care of their body. 

Instead of plucking a jar of pre-made tomato sauce off the shelf, try this basic tomato sauce recipe. Making your own sauce means that you're in control of key ingredients-including the amount of salt in the sauce. Use a can of no salt added tomatoes for the most sodium control, pour over your pasta dish, and enjoy. 

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1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
3 medium cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 28-ounce can crushed red tomatoes
zest of one lemon

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Combine the olive oil, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and garlic in a cold saucepan. Stir while you heat the saucepan over medium-high heat, saute just 45 seconds or so until everything is fragrant - you don't want the garlic to brown. Stir in the tomatoes and heat to a gentle simmer, this takes just a couple minutes. Remove from heat and carefully take a taste (you don't want to burn your tongue)...If the sauce needs more salt add it now. Stir in the lemon zest reserving a bit to sprinkle on top of your pasta.