I would get one of the smaller cans of tomatoes, I prefer whole tomatoes & I dice them up. I like my spaghetti sauce chunky though. Saute some onions, garlic, italian seasonings, bell pepper, mushrooms, whatever you like in your sauce. I may add some zucchini or other veggie.

This one is simple and delicious. It is the one I use almost exclusively, now. You can add anything you like to change up the flavor, and it freezes beautifully.

Basic Marinara
Source: Cooking Light October 2007

3T olive oil
3 c chopped onion
1T sugar
3T minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried basil
1-1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
2T balsamic vinegar
2 c chicken broth
3 28oz cans crushed tomatoes

Heat oil in large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, cook 4 minutes stirring frequently. Add sugar and next 7 ingredients (through fennel), cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in vinegar, cook 30 seconds. Add broth and tomatoes, bring to a simmer. Cook over low heat 50-60 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Yield: about 12 cups sauce

I am "just me" as well. Here's what I do....and eat for 2 meals and freeze the rest.
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 T chopped green pepper
Sautees slowly in 1 Tbs olive oil
When starting to soften, add 1/2 pound lean ground beef and a large clove of garlic sliced thin or chopped.
Sautee and stir until the meat is broken up and no longer pink.
Add one large can ( think it's 32 oz) of whole canned Italian plum tomatoes. Break them up with your hands, and add
1 small can of continadina (other brands are bitter) tomato paste, and fill the can with dry red wine and add that too.
Add herbs...1 bay leaf, 1 tsp dry oregano and 1 tsp dry basil and 1 tsp of dry parsley.
Cover and simmer at least an hour, stirring occasionally.
Serve over cooked pasta.
Makes about 3 to 4 servings.

Or....this is more likely to happen in the summer.
In a 10 inch fry pan sautee a small sweet onion, half a green pepper and half a red or yellow pepper in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
When slightly softened add 2 small zucchini cut into chunks, or one zucchini and one small peeled eggplant, 2 cloves of garlic, several mushrooms...4 to 5 small ones, and 3 or 4 fresh peeled cut up tomatoes. add a handful of fresh mixed basil and parsley with a little oregano or thyme is you have it fresh...
Cook fairly rapidly stirring often until most of the liquid has evaporated ands erve over pasta....top with Fresh grated parmesan.
Oh my....I love summer!!
Linda C

Winter probably isn't the best time to suggest a sauce from fresh tomatoes, but I love this one so much that I'm throwing it in anyway. If you slow roast them for several hours before you start, even bad tomatoes will make a good sauce.

Whatever you do, don't listen to any nincompoop who tells you to squeeze the seeds out. That slop around the seeds is where all the flavor is!!

It's just me, too. I like to grease some muffin tins and freeze it in there. If you take the pan out of the freezer for a few minutes, you can use a butter knife to flick the sauce muffins right out of the pan and into a ziploc bag. That's just about the right amount for a last-minute bowl of spaghetti.

Here is a link that might be useful: Easy instructions

Thank you so much for giving me these hints. You always come through and I do apppreciate it. -Barb

"Seems I am always trying to work my way out of something. - Barb"

Barb, keep asking. It is the adjustment phase of a new life for you. It is not always easy right now, but it will get there.

hugs,

Peppi

I don't know how much freezer space you have, but make a big batch and freeze it! They sell 1 cup freezer containers where jars and cannings lids are sold (Ball brand I think). They have a screw on top and would be a nice size for one.
In a pinch, open a can of tomatoes, a small can of tomato sauce, add italian seasonings (basil, oregano, garlic) and any meat or veggies you like. Simmer, cool, freeze.

Most stores also sell a 15 oz. can of basic sauce that you could add to if you wish. Freeze any extra.

You can even mix it with the pasta and freeze. Instant meal when you don't want to cook!

Deanna