How To Make Store-Bought Spaghetti Sauce Better In 7 Ways

Last Updated on September 14, 2024 by Shari Mason

Picking spaghetti sauce from the store offers a **quick fix** for an easy weeknight dinner. But, it might sometimes miss a punch of flavor or richness, making you want to **boost its taste**.

The good news is that several simple ways exist to improve the taste of your store-bought spaghetti sauce without starting from scratch. 

We will explore some tips and tricks on how to make store-bought spaghetti sauce better, so you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.

7 Ways To Make Store-Bought Spaghetti Sauce Better

1. Add Fresh Herbs

Adding fresh herbs is one of the easiest and most effective ways to enhance the flavor of store-bought spaghetti sauce. Herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary can add flavor and aroma to your sauce. 

Chop the herbs finely and add them to the sauce while cooking. This will help infuse the sauce with the herb’s essence and make it more flavorful. You can also add a sprig of fresh herbs to the pot and remove it once the sauce cooks. 

Using fresh herbs improves the sauce’s taste and makes it healthier by adding nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants.

Read:

• Do Sun-Dried Tomatoes Need To Be Refrigerated?
• How Long Does Tomato Paste In A Tube Last?

2. Sautee Garlic and Onions

One simple and easy way to make store-bought spaghetti sauce better is to sauté garlic [1] and onions before adding the sauce. 

Heat some olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic and chopped onions, and cook until soft and fragrant. 

Then, add the spaghetti sauce to the pan and stir everything together. The sauce’s sautéed garlic and onions will add depth and flavor, making it taste more homemade and delicious. 

This is a quick and easy way to elevate the flavor of store-bought spaghetti sauce with minimal effort.

Read: How Much Spaghetti Sauce Per Pound Of Meat?

3. Add Vegetables

One way to make store-bought spaghetti sauce better is to add vegetables. This not only adds nutrition and flavor to the dish but also helps to bulk up the sauce and stretch it further. 

Vegetables like onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms are great additions to spaghetti sauce. Sauté the vegetables in a little bit of oil until they are tender, then add them to the sauce and let them simmer together for a few minutes. 

This will infuse the sauce with the flavors of the vegetables and create a more complex and satisfying dish.

4. Add Meat

One way to make store-bought spaghetti sauce better is to add meat. Ground beef, sausage, or turkey can be cooked separately and added to the sauce, enhancing its flavor and texture. 

Brown the meat in a pan, season it with salt and pepper and add it to the sauce. You can also use leftover cooked meat, such as shredded chicken or meatballs, for a quick and easy addition. 

The meat will add more flavor to the sauce and provide some extra protein to your meal.

5. Adjust Seasoning

One of the simplest ways to make store-bought spaghetti sauce better is to adjust the seasoning. Many store-bought sauces can be bland or overly sweet, so adding salt, pepper, and other spices can enhance flavor. 

“I love spaghetti. And I like to cook spaghetti. And I used to eat it every day. I weighed thirty pounds more than I do now. You can’t – you can’t do that.”

– Christopher Walken, Actor

Add dried herbs such as oregano, basil [2], thyme, rosemary, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Add a pinch of sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter sauce.

Start by adding a small amount of seasoning, tasting as you go until you reach your desired flavor.

6. Simmer for Longer

One way to make store-bought spaghetti sauce better is to simmer it longer. Heating the sauce for an extended period allows the flavors to develop and intensify, resulting in a more flavorful sauce. 

Pour the sauce into a pot and simmer it on low heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you have more time, you can even simmer it for an hour or more, giving the sauce even more depth of flavor. 

Just keep an eye on it and add a splash of water or broth if it gets too thick.

7. Add a Splash of Wine

Adding a splash of wine to store-bought spaghetti sauce can quickly and easily elevate its flavor. The acidity and tannins in wine help balance the sweetness of the tomato sauce and add complexity to the dish. 

When adding wine to spaghetti sauce, choose the right type of wine, and saute garlic and onions before deglazing the pan with the wine. Simmering the sauce for some time after adding the wine can also help to deepen the flavors. 

FAQs

Key Takeaways

Making store-bought spaghetti sauce taste better can be achieved through various simple techniques.

Adding fresh herbs, sauteing garlic and onion, and incorporating a splash of wine can elevate the flavors of the sauce and make it taste more homemade. 

Seasoning with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste can also help to enhance the overall flavor profile. Adding a small amount of water or broth can also be effective if you want to stretch the sauce further. 

Following these easy steps, you can transform a plain jar of store-bought spaghetti sauce into a delicious, restaurant-quality dish that your family and friends will love.

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-300/garlic
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266425