How to Zhuzh Up a Jar of Pasta Sauce

It's easy to upgrade your jarred pasta sauce to be the star of your weeknight dinner

If you're anything like me, at least once a week you'll find yourself staring into your pantry, wondering what to make for dinner. Even for us meal planners, sometimes the plan just doesn't hit. On those days I'll reach for the old standby, the humble jar of pasta sauce. It may not seem like much, but jarred pasta sauce has saved dinnertime more times than I can count.

Before you judge, hear me out — while I am a huge fan of homemade pasta sauce, sometimes I just don't have the time or fresh ingredients to make it from scratch. With just a few simple tweaks, you can transform that basic jar of store-bought pasta sauce into something the whole family will love with the same homemade taste.

Ingredients

Shhhh — no one will know. It's so simple to turn a jar of sauce into a dinner winner. Here are the ingredients I use to add a flavor boost to make store-bought marinara better:

• Jarred Pasta Sauce: (Obviously) Start with your favorite brand of jarred pasta sauce. Whether you prefer marinara, arrabbiata, or alfredo, the choice is yours (Rao's or Mezzetta are my go-tos).
• Aromatics: Sauté onions or shallots and fresh garlic in olive oil until golden brown to add delicious depth to your sauce.
• Sweetness and Zing: Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (you could also use lemon juice) and a teaspoon of brown or raw cane sugar to your tomato sauce to take it to the next level. The pinch of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, while the acid gives it a fresh bright boost of flavor.
• Wine: A splash of wine — red or white, depending on your sauce — can add complexity. I like to add red wine to sauces I will use with beef, and a bit of white wine to lighter sauces that I'll use with turkey or chicken.
• Cheese: Cheese makes everything better, am I right? Whether you choose Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, or pecorino romano, don't skimp on the cheese when it comes to pasta night.
• Protein: I'm all about adding protein — ground meat, like ground beef, chicken, or turkey, is a classic, but sweet or hot Italian sausage, meatballs, or shredded chicken are all great options.
• Vegetables: Chop up some colorful bell peppers, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, cooked red lentils, or chopped carrots, or add a can of diced tomatoes for a chunkier sauce.
• Spices: A pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of black pepper, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika can add a kick of flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs can make your store-bought sauce seem fresh and homemade. Chop up some fresh basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, or rosemary, and add it at the end of your simmering.

How to Make Jarred Pasta Sauce Better

• Choose Your Sauce: The first step is choosing the right jar of pasta sauce for you. This all comes down to personal preference. Make sure to check the nutrition label for ingredients, as well as salt and sugar levels. You'll want to opt for a sauce with few ingredients, limited amounts of added sugar, and only light seasonings. My favorites are Rao's or Mezzetta marinara sauces.
• Prep Your Ingredients: Chop your aromatics, herbs, and any other additional ingredients you'll need.
• Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions or shallots and sauté until golden brown and fragrant. Then add minced garlic and sauté for a minute longer.
• Brown Your Protein: If using ground meat, add it now and brown it, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
• Add Jarred Sauce: Pour the jarred pasta sauce into the skillet with the onions or shallots and garlic. Stir to combine and make sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
• Customize: Add your choice of wine, cheese, protein, vegetables, and spices to the sauce, stirring well to incorporate. If you have a spare parmesan rind, throw it in for a boost of umami flavor.
• Simmer: Allow the sauce to simmer gently over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Taste and Adjust: Give the sauce a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add your delicate herbs last (if using), as well as more salt, pepper, or spices, to taste.
• Serve: Once the sauce has simmered, add it to your favorite pasta and garnish with additional cheese and herbs.

Frequently asked questions

Make It Your Own: Variations + Substitutions

One of the best things about customizing pasta sauce is that you can add or leave out ingredients so it matches your family's tastes:

• Spice It Up: Adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes or black pepper.
• Protein, Please: Experiment with different proteins like ground beef, meatballs, ground chicken, and ground turkey, or try tofu, or tempeh for a plant-forward twist.
• Up the Creaminess: Add a ¼ cup of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese to turn your jar of marinara into a tomato-cream sauce.
• Double Down on Tomato: Add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste to the sauce for a more concentrated tomato base.
• Umami-fy your sauce: Add a bit of anchovy paste or a few anchovies to a pan with hot oil and cook until dissolved, or use some Kalamata olives or crushed capers for a nice umami hit.

Special diets

If you have a special diet you're adhering to, here are some ways you can adjust this recipe.

• Vegan/Vegetarian: Skip the meat and cheese and load up on veggies for a vegan or vegetarian-friendly sauce.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and double-check that all your ingredients are gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free: Omit cheese or use dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese for a dairy-free option.
• Whole30 / Paleo: Skip the cheese and sugar and load up on additional veggies.

Related recipes

Hungry for more pasta dishes? Check these out:

• Penne with Beet Greens, Pine Nuts, and Artichokes in a Goat Cheese Sauce
• Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage
• Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Before you go...

If you use this recipe to liven up your pantry tomato sauce, please leave a comment and rate this recipe! I love to hear from you and do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram — seeing your delicious creations is my favorite!

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One more thing!

This recipe is a part of my Easy Does It Dinners collection — check it out!