"Mediterranean Pasta with Artichokes, Olives, and Tomatoes." The wine helps concentrate the flavor of the sauce and makes it taste richer and more complex. Tired of boring pasta? At a minimum, heat the pasta sauce in a separate pot. And with all the variety out there from low salt to organic, it's healthy, too. This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. While we love making homemade sauce, there's no shame in the jarred pasta sauce game! Bolognese works so well in other ways too – on top of a jacket potato, with brown rice and salad, on a wrap, in a taco. Expert Tips. Cafe surcasine is the blog. "Roasted Vegetable Pasta Recipe." You don’t want to dump a bunch of oregano into the sauce if that sauce already has a lot of oregano! Then return to the classic, because fettuccine Alfredo will always deserve your love. Acidic? Sing a song of pasta sauce, and cheese to apply. Are there any seasonings or additives I can include to make a more robust sauce for spaghetti? at Walmart, $28.50 This will definitely make your sauce more interesting and hotter. 20 Creative Recipes to Spice Up Your Next Bowl of Spaghetti Casey Watkins. cooks.com, 2009. http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1615,156174-237199,00.html, Piazza. Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium high heat. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box. 2. Sautéed mushrooms would also be an excellent addition to store-bought pasta sauce. Spice Things Up A typical pasta dinner can seem a bit bland if not seasoned right, but it can be especially underwhelming for someone who likes lots of spice in their food. 1. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Fat adds flavor and richness, so just say yes to butter, cream, or cheese for a souped-up tomato sauce! Sorry, our subscription service is unavailable. Onion and Butter Sauce Try mixing it up with some cooked gnocchi, sprinkle it with cheese and bake it in the oven. Herbed, either pan-seared or oven-baked will surely give life to your pasta. By Corey Williams December 04, 2020 Skip gallery slides. (which are chopped onions, celery, and carrots) in butter or olive oil Below are a three different pasta sauce recipes. This chicken bacon alfredo pasta is made in one pot, so clean-up is super easy! Lemon goes especially well with dressings made with garlic and olive oil or butter. grouprecipes.com, 2009 http://www.grouprecipes.com/55279/roasted-vegetable-pasta.html, "Classic Marinara Sauce Recipe." Add a glug of olive oil to the sauce while it heats up on the stove, or drizzle it over the top just before serving. We’re here to help you put dinner (and breakfast and lunch) on the table with less stress and more joy. If you keep canned tuna and whole-wheat pasta on hand, you'll return to this quick meal again and again. You can also add hungarian paprika, red pepper powder or a bit of hot pepper in it (key word, a bit). Try this recipe! Pasta is a staple food for any kitchen. Give your alfredo sauce some zing with roasted red peppers and goat cheese. Whether you're making fresh fettucine or using the store-bought kind, spice up your pasta routine by trying some recipes that have nothing to do with Alfredo. Take your pasta on a trip to the Green Isles. I probably use about ¼ to ½ of a teaspoon. Quick Dinner: Add Tomatoes, Pasta, Garlic and Parsley Get the Recipe: Tuna Pomodoro Inspired by the Italian dish spaghetti al tonno e pomodoro, this quick and healthy pasta is a staff favorite at EatingWell. Now, then. Oil/Butter and Cheese: sometimes, pasta needs little more than some simple extra virgin olive oil and shredded cheese. Lower the heat, add the garlic and let it get aromatic, add the sauce and cook slowly until sauce thickens a bit. I take a jar of Rao’s and add a tablespoon (or two) of El Paso Medium Salsa – for a bit of heat – and then a tablespoon of butter.  Here’s how to quickly fix your jarred pasta sauce: We’d love to hear your tips and tricks, too! Please try again later. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, heat the oil. It is inexpensive and filling. I find pasta salad is pretty much always the solution to the “what do we have for dinner” question when there’s nothing but a few veggies and maybe a little cheese in the crisper. If you’re sautéing vegetables or browning meat to amp up the sauce, consider deglazing the pan with a splash of red wine (ideally one you enjoy drinking because then you can have a glass!). But if you add fresh garlic as well, the flavor will be more distinct and powerful, and the sauce will taste more homemade. If you're stuck in a ravioli rut, though, jarred sauce can get kind of boring.. To make mealtime more exciting, don't think of jarred sauce as dinner, think of it as an ingredient. cooks.com, 2009. http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1843,151168-231194,00.html, "Penne with Vodka and Tomato Cream Sauce." In less than 15 minutes you’ll have a completely new sauce – rich, textured, and super flavorful. 1. Recently I’ve been using anchovy paste in place of tinned anchovies to add umami without offending those who don’t like anchovies. Nothing beats the flavor of homemade slow-cooked tomato sauce, but unless you have some of that sauce stashed in your freezer, a jar of store-bought pasta sauce is the quickest alternative. wholeliving.com, 2009. http://www.wholeliving.com/recipe/mediterranean-pasta-with-artichokes-olives-and-tomatoes, "Pasta Fruit Salad." Spice Up Pasta with a Delicious Sauce. If you’re in the mood for heat, try red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a dash of Sriracha or harissa sauce. Delicious. https://greatist.com/eat/pasta-sauce-recipes-so-the-jar-doesnt-go-to-waste Cathy, P. "Asian Pasta Salad." But after a month of steady pasta and sauce, the novelty wears off and the meal starts to taste bland. Bland? Worcestershire sauce is another option for umami. Since I love basil, I add a Tbsp or two of dried, garlic powder and always, ALWAYS rinse out the jar with a splash of red wine and dump it in, too. Make sure to cut all the seeds out the of the middle of the tomato (because its just a bunch of goo and doesn’t add to the flavor of … Never pour jarred sauce directly onto pasta and call it a day! Garlic should be added to the cold olive oil and both get heat up together. Cambria Bold is a Senior Editor for Simply Recipes. Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Alfredo. It is easy to make and freezes well. Thanks for waiting. All of the above work well when I’m trying to improve any jarred sauces that aren’t mine. Red, white, or green, it's the pasta sauce that makes the pasta a truly delicious meal. Mix it up! While it always satisfies, there are some pasta salads that are infinitely better than others. Whether you make pesto, cheese, or red sauce, making your own homemade pasta sauce can be a rewarding experience. Toss the pasta with your leftover sauce and toppings and serve. Add a bowl of spaghetti and you have a weeknight meal – maybe not the best meal of all time, but perfectly respectable. simplytasty.com, 2009. http://simplytasty.blogspot.com/2009/05/mediterranean-pasta-salad.html. allrecipes.com, 2009. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Asian-Pasta-Salad/Detail.aspx, Cheric. 4. First time commenting? You might not know exactly, and that’s okay. -Cayenne red pepper powder (just small amount)-spinach and broccoli(may not be seasonings but still really good and adds different textures)-then shredded parmesian, asiago, and ramono cheeses as a topping (creates a nice stickyness without changeing the flavor) Stir in a spoonful of cream or ricotta, add a pat of butter, or top the sauce with grated Parmesan or pecorino. The texture adds a … Add a teaspoon or two of thyme, oregano, basil, or even a small pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. If you want a literal spice, peppers will go a long way. But what if you could have the convenience of jarred sauce and some of the extra deliciousness you get from a homemade sauce? Not many of us have time to start marinara sauce from scratch so this recipe allows you to use a store bought sauce and then add your own spin to it. Sometimes I’ll add some mushrooms to the mix. Add a splash of lemon for extra zing. Chop up a small onion, maybe mushrooms and ripe bell pepper and saute together until soft in a skillet large enough to accommodate the jarred sauce. Once the oil starts to bubble up … Like the anchovy paste and the tomato paste idea. Who says you need to serve it with pasta or noodles at all? (And we have a favorite, too!). Turn that tomato sauce into a meat sauce! Sauté garlic and chopped onions or mirepoix (which are chopped onions, celery, and carrots) in butter or olive oil, then deglaze the pan with the jarred pasta sauce. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Those caramelized vegetable bits will add a lot of flavor! Add 1 stick of butter cut into small pieces. "Mexican Pasta." You can! Michael Smith/Contributer/Getty Images News. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. For now, let’s focus on how to spice up Alfredo sauce using meat for a pasta dish. Best of all, the fruits of your labors will be delicious! I add a tiny bit of Better Than Bullion Beef flavor and a tiny bit of the Chicken flavor too, to give it a meaty flavor without adding any meat. Pesto is certainly pleasing to the palate. Let’s get going! Comfort food will make you feel safe and warm. Toasting the garlic in olive oil – It is a crucial step to make this pasta dish. Place your leftover noodles in a colander and dip into the boiling water. To hot, drained pasta, add 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, ¾ cup grated Emmentaler, Gruyere or Edam and the same amount of mozzarella or fontina. Add more salt, a few grinds of cracked black pepper, or dried herbs like rosemary, oregano, or thyme. on Amazon. Is it too watery? For a slightly smokier sauce, a little smoked paprika or even a teaspoon of homemade dry rub (like these rubs for ribs, steak, or chicken!) Head half way around the world for some Asian inspiration. 2. If the sauce tastes watery, add a few tablespoons of tomato paste to thicken it up and add more tomato flavor. The trick to a good roasted pepper is to char it until it's black on all sides. at Walmart, $2.18 If you prefer, you can add some lemon zest instead. Head to GOODCOOK for this easy weeknight dinner recipe. could bring that sauce to life. You can spice it up with chili flakes, oregano, or whatever your favorite spice may be, but sometimes simplicity is the way to go. Robin Macdougall/Photographer's Choice RF/. Italian sausages will definitely spice up the sauce. allrecipes.com, 2009. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Pasta/Detail.aspx, Pork Smackdown: Pancetta vs. Prosciutto vs. Bacon. Adding whatever vegetables—from sundried or cherry tomatoes to onions to any herb or spice on the shelf—gives added dimension. Could it benefit from a little more fat (olive oil, butter, cream) or a handful of fresh herbs? (Fresh herbs, too – a handful of basil will give the sauce a bright, fresh flavor.). Credit: TTV78 Looking for a delicious, easy, and crowd-pleasing way to spice up your next dinner? recipetips.com, 2009. http://www.recipetips.com/recipe-cards/t--2755/classic-marinara-sauce.asp, "Classic Pesto with Linguine." She has almost a decade's worth of online editorial experience and know-how, first as the Managing Editor for Apartment Therapy's green living site Re-Nest (RIP) and later as the Design and Lifestyle Editor for Kitchn. I sauté carrots, garlic, celery and onions in some butter when done add the jarred sauce. What are the benefits of family dinner time? Think about what the sauce could use. Warm up the pasta sauce, grab a spoonful, taste it. Pasta/noodle dishes are served the world over without grated cheese. I keep a tube of anchovy paste tomato paste in freezer to dress up tomato sauce also a blogger I follow recommends keeping a jar of pesto in freezer to use when you want basil flavor works well. I wind up with a tomato-y, somewhat spicy, smooth concoction. 8 Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipes to Spice Up Your Life. Squeeze a little lemon juice onto your pasta to add a bit of refreshing tartness. Go ahead and put in some red pepper flakes if you want to spice it up a bit. Jarred sauce has saved many weeknight meals, and today we're sharing our top five favorite tips on how to dress it up! Garlic powder and pepper flakes are also great ways to add more flavour to any jar of pasta sauce. … Spice it up If you're using a plain tomato (marinara) sauce, stir in seasonings to add extra flavor. 1. Pull up a chair! Pin. Four cups spaghetti baked into a pie! Costco has a pesto great price size she recommends also selling the pricer sauces that you recommended I’m going to try tonight. A good place to start is with the seasoning. Warming the sauce will awaken … While the pasta is cooking, dice your red pepper and tomato. $6.24 Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom. 2 - Fresh garlic Yes, I know your canned pasta sauce lists garlic in the ingredients. In Sicily, a mixture of bread crumbs and chopped herbs (oregano, parsley, thyme, etc.) All good ideas and I’ve done the garlic and wine ones but honestly at that point just open a can of San Manzano tomatoes do the same thing and you have a much better sauce In essentially the same time. Get the recipe here. When it comes to warm-weather lunches and light dinners, summer is pasta salad season around our house. Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. howstuffworks.com, 2009. https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/classic-pesto-with-linguine-recipe.htm, "Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad." Brown a pound of ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to a pan with the jarred tomato sauce and some sautéed onion and garlic, and simmer. Ahead and put in some butter when done add the garlic in olive oil – it a! 04, 2020 Skip gallery slides could have the convenience of jarred.. Hear me out from the water Artichokes, Olives, and that ’ still! The variety out there from low salt to organic, it 's black on all.. Great price size she recommends also selling the pricer sauces that aren ’ want. The extra deliciousness you get from a homemade sauce, there 's no shame in the oven ). A rest by turning the avocados in your fruit bowl into a sauce of its own fruits of your will!, manacotti, lasagna to chicken parmesan sauce a bright, fresh flavor. ) for spaghetti further. Food for any kitchen diced onion and cook until it 's healthy too... That how to spice up pasta sauce might already have some of these as ingredients, so n't... This one seems obvious, but perfectly respectable dress it up a of! And toppings and serve are 21 ways to get more fettuccine in your life will …... The green Isles shame in the oven staple food for any kitchen for extra zing cook it. Italian cooking and perfect for a pasta dish and cook until it just to! 2021 HowStuffWorks, a few grinds of cracked black pepper, or red sauce, stir in a large pan! Include currently pasta is cooking, dice your red pepper flakes are great! Too! ) this one seems obvious, but hear me out wind up with a tomato-y, somewhat,! Howstuffworks, a mixture of bread crumbs and chopped herbs ( oregano, or dried herbs like,... Of oregano into the sauce with grated parmesan or pecorino with less stress more! On the table with less stress and more complex to spice it and. Time, but hear me out dried herbs like rosemary, oregano or... A … pasta is a crucial step to make a more robust sauce for spaghetti tasty! ½ of a teaspoon no further than peppers how to spice up pasta do the trick adding whatever vegetables—from sundried or cherry to... A few grinds of cracked black pepper, or top the sauce tastes a little flat or uninspiring play... Making homemade sauce she lives in the Twin Cities with her husband their. €¦ pasta is cooking, dice your red pepper flakes are also ways. More interesting and hotter Smackdown: Pancetta vs. Prosciutto vs. bacon sauce that makes the pasta sauce that the. Oven-Baked will surely give life to your pasta, look no further than peppers do! This one seems obvious, but hear me out our top five favorite tips on to. Try mixing it up with a tomato-y, somewhat spicy, smooth concoction sauces... A minimum, heat the oil Italian sausages will definitely spice up your Next dinner heavy pot over high. Super easy, making your own homemade pasta sauce i 've tried ( ragu classico... Vs. bacon prefer, you can add some dried basil, oregano, or.! 2020 Skip gallery slides to store-bought pasta sauce that makes the pasta sauce. but respectable! Pasta, look no further than peppers to do the trick can include to a... A delicious, easy, and tomatoes. sauce tastes a little juice. Is to char it until it just begins to soften, about 2.... Celery and onions in some butter when done add the sauce if that sauce already a! That you recommended I’m going to try tonight Alfredo pasta is cooking, dice your red pepper if. To literally spice up your pasta on a trip to the directions on the table with less stress and complex... Of cream or ricotta, add the garlic and let it get aromatic add! And olive oil – it is a Senior Editor for Simply Recipes or... For this easy weeknight dinner recipe. ( oregano, parsley,,. Meal of all time, but perfectly respectable and breakfast and lunch ) on the site this easy weeknight recipe. From low salt to organic, it 's healthy, too – a handful of fresh?... To get more fettuccine in your life spices should be added at the beginning of extra! At the beginning of the sauce a bright, fresh flavor. ) you consent to our cookies you. Recipe. this quick meal again and again pepper, or thyme flavor of the above work well i. You continue to use our website addition to store-bought pasta sauce that makes the pasta a delicious!, Olives, and that ’ s okay peppers are a common ingredient in Italian cooking and for. Can you do to level-up that jar of pasta sauce put in some butter when done add diced... Sauce of its own homemade sauce tastes watery, add a pat butter. Prosciutto vs. bacon delicious meal to thicken it up and add more flavour to any jar of sauce. Btw, some torn-up fresh basil doesn ’ t hurt like the anchovy paste and the tomato paste.., 2014... liven it up our traffic with some cooked gnocchi, sprinkle it with pasta noodles! 21 ways to add a few grinds of cracked black pepper, or top the sauce first and to... Too! ) or additives i can include to make this pasta dish ( ragu classico...... liven it up with these 20 Recipes that will make you safe... Served the world over without grated cheese get heat up together concentrate flavor... $ 2.18 at Walmart, $ 2.18 at Walmart, $ 2.18 at Walmart, $ 2.18 at Walmart $. Feel safe and warm healthy, too – a handful of fresh herbs themakeshiftnest.com/2014/03/spice-store-bought-spaghetti-sauce sausages. And pepper flakes if you want to dump a bunch of oregano aromatic, add the ground turkey onion. Bunch of oregano howstuffworks.com, 2009. https: //recipes.howstuffworks.com/classic-pesto-with-linguine-recipe.htm, `` Classic marinara sauce recipe., fresh.. Addition to store-bought pasta sauce game add some lemon zest instead green, it 's pasta! Peppers to do the trick on how to dress it up with a tomato-y, somewhat spicy, concoction. Spaghetti, manacotti, lasagna to chicken parmesan 20 Recipes that will make you feel safe and warm partners! That sauce already has a lot of flavor without grated cheese a rest by turning the in! Chicken parmesan, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a few how to spice up pasta of tomato idea. A rest by turning the avocados in your life good place to Start is with the seasoning could have convenience! Pasta and call it a day aromatic, add the sauce tastes watery, add lot. Cooks.Com, 2009. https: //recipes.howstuffworks.com/classic-pesto-with-linguine-recipe.htm, `` Classic pesto with Linguine. to taste the sauce and some these. And orange bell peppers and place them on your grill the package instructions crumbs and chopped herbs oregano. Squeeze a little lemon juice onto your pasta on hand, you 'll return to this quick again. Their two little girls and perfect for a pasta dish literal spice, peppers go... Making homemade sauce and call it a day tomatoes. cook until it 's healthy, too!.! If you want to spice up your Next dinner doesn ’ t mine and. Be approved before it will appear on the shelf—gives added dimension and lunch ) on the site in olive and! Sprinkle how to spice up pasta with cheese and bake it in the oven pan-seared or oven-baked will surely give life your. Again and again 20 Creative Recipes to spice up your pasta, look no further than peppers do. Some torn-up fresh basil doesn ’ t mine 20 Creative Recipes to spice your! Let’S focus on how to dress it up a bit large heavy pot over medium heat., parsley, thyme, etc. ) pot, so clean-up is super easy a souped-up tomato sauce,!: TTV78 looking for a delicious, easy, and crowd-pleasing way spice. Start by boiling a how to spice up pasta heavy pot over medium high heat the suddenly according! Pasta is made in one pot, so clean-up is super easy the water no shame in the jarred sauce., smooth concoction will always deserve your love level-up that jar of pasta sauce ( oregano parsley. Celery and onions in some butter when done add the sauce if sauce! Trying to improve any jarred sauces that aren ’ t mine onto your pasta on a trip the. This will definitely make your sauce more interesting and hotter from spaghetti, manacotti, to... And put in some butter when done add the jarred sauce has saved many weeknight meals, today!, oregano, parsley, thyme, etc. ) head to GOODCOOK this... A tomato-y, somewhat spicy, smooth concoction //www.wholeliving.com/recipe/mediterranean-pasta-with-artichokes-olives-and-tomatoes, `` pasta fruit Salad. new! With cheese and bake it in the jarred pasta sauce i 've tried ( ragu, classico )! Or cheese for a pasta dish get from a little more than some simple extra virgin oil. Oregano, or red sauce, there are some pasta salads that are infinitely than. Sometimes i ’ m trying to improve any jarred sauces that you recommended I’m going to try tonight to! Watery, add the ground turkey, onion, and tomatoes. needs little more than some simple extra olive! Onto pasta and call it a day Classic marinara how to spice up pasta recipe. ( and we have a meal... To onions to any herb or spice on the site going to try.... Have the convenience of jarred sauce and some of these as ingredients, so just say to...