Cast Iron Keto
menu icon
subscribe
search icon
×

Keto Pasta Sauce 

Dom Lorenzo
by
Updated:
Leave a Comment
Not yet rated

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Forget store-bought sauces and try this easy-peasy Keto Pasta Sauce recipe. Rich and flavorful, this low-carb alternative to traditional pasta sauce is perfect for pairing with your favorite keto-friendly ingredients like zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles. Trust us — the deep red hue and the flavorful gravy are gonna make you fall in love with pasta all over again, without breaking your keto goals. 

Keto Pasta Sauce in a cast iron skillet and garnished with a sprig of fresh herb.
Jump to:

Preparation And Cooking Overview

To make low-carb pasta sauce at home, start by sauteing onions and garlic in olive oil. Then, add the tomatoes and seasonings and simmer the mix on medium heat. Within 35 minutes, you will have delicious sauce for your pasta dinner. 

Join the email list

Loading...

Thank You for Subscribing.

Chef’s Note

The secret to a great keto pasta sauce is using high-quality tomatoes and olive oil. For a smoother texture, blend the sauce with an immersion blender, but for a chunkier, rustic feel, leave it as is. 

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients For This Keto Pasta Sauce Recipe

You only need simple ingredients to make low-carb pasta sauce at home. The shopping list includes: 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 fresh tomatoes, diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon erythritol
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Additional Ingredients

  • Fresh basil leaves: Add a few basil leaves during the final minute of cooking, or use them as a garnish to bring a fresh, aromatic flavor.
  • Parmesan cheese: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese toward the end for added umami flavor and a creamier texture without extra carbs.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Erythritol: Replace erythritol with monk fruit sweetener or allulose in equal amounts; both are great low-carb alternatives with a similar taste profile. 
  • Butter: Instead of butter, use heavy cream to make the sauce extra creamier. 
  • Fresh tomatoes: Swap fresh tomatoes with 14 ounces of sugar-free canned tomatoes. 

Cooking Tools Required

  • Medium saucepan
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting board 

How To Make Keto Pasta Sauce: Step-By-Step Guide

Cooking methods

  • Sautéing
  • Simmering

Preparation steps

  1. Gather and measure all the ingredients. 
  2. Peel the garlic cloves and mince them.
  3. Finely chop the onion.
  4. Wash parsley and tomatoes and dice them. 

Cooking instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 
  2. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. 
  3. Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down. 
  4. Next, add the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir well. 
  5. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency. 
  6. Taste the sauce and, if it's too acidic for you, add the erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener to balance the flavors. 
  7. Finally, stir in the butter at the end for a richer, creamier sauce and garnish with parsley. 

Chef's pro tip

For a deeper flavor, let the sauce simmer for up to 45 minutes—longer simmering helps the flavors meld beautifully. Taste halfway through and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce starts to thicken too much, add a splash of stock or water to keep it from burning.

Time-Saving Tips

  • Use 14 ounces of canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh ones for a quicker, equally delicious sauce. 

Storage And Reheating Instructions

Storage instructions

  • Refrigerator: Store the leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze the sauce in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating best practices

  • Stovetop: Reheat the pasta sauce on low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
  • Microwave: Reheat in a microwave-safe dish at 30-second intervals, stirring between each until heated to your liking.

Recipe Wrap-Up And Conclusion

This rich, savory Keto Pasta Sauce is the perfect low-carb addition to your keto meal rotation. Whether you prefer it creamy or chunky, it’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize. Serve it with your favorite keto-friendly pasta or use it as a pizza sauce for a low-carb twist on Italian classics.

Frequently asked questions

Traditional pasta sauce isn't keto due to added sugar and fillers. But you can easily make keto pasta by focusing on natural ingredients like tomatoes, herbs, and spices. 

Yes! You can turn this into a keto meat sauce by browning ground beef or ground sausage separately and adding it to the sauce while it simmers. 

For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or add some diced jalapeños or crushed chili peppers. 

Yes, fresh herbs like basil or oregano can be used. Add them toward the end of the cooking process to preserve their flavor, or use them as a garnish. 

📖 Recipe

Keto Pasta Sauce in a cast iron skillet and garnished with a sprig of fresh herb.

Keto Pasta Sauce

This easy homemade pasta sauce is rich, flavorful, and low-carb, perfect for pairing with keto-friendly noodles or as a pizza sauce.
No ratings yet
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: keto sauce, Pasta Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 132kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 4 fresh tomatoes diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon erythritol
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preparation steps

  • Gather and measure all the ingredients.
  • Peel the garlic cloves and mince them.
  • Finely chop the onion.
  • Wash parsley and tomatoes and dice them.

Cooking instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down.
  • Next, add the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  • Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Taste the sauce and, if it's too acidic for you, add the erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener to balance the flavors.
  • Finally, stir in the butter at the end for a richer, creamier sauce and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Pasta Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 132 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 99mg4%
Potassium 447mg13%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 1488IU30%
Vitamin C 24mg29%
Calcium 41mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

# Hashtag with us!Don't forget to mention @castiron_keto or tag #castironketo on Instagram with your creations! We love seeing what you're making.
«
»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating