Semi-Homemade Spaghetti Sauce: The Best of Both Worlds

There’s nothing quite like a delicious, homemade spaghetti sauce. The rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and love that goes into making a sauce from scratch simply can’t be beat. However, there are times when we just don’t have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s where semi-homemade spaghetti sauce comes in – it’s the best of both worlds.

Semi-homemade spaghetti sauce takes the convenience of store-bought marinara and adds a few simple, fresh ingredients to elevate its flavor and make it taste like it came straight from Nonna’s kitchen. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy meal that still tastes like it took hours to make.

The key to a great semi-homemade spaghetti sauce is in the ingredients you add to the store-bought marinara. Fresh herbs, aromatics, and a few simple pantry staples can take a basic jar of sauce to the next level. The best part is that you can easily customize the sauce to your liking by adding your favorite ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, or spices.

One of the easiest and most delicious semi-homemade spaghetti sauce recipes is a classic marinara with a few extra ingredients to enhance the flavor. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Semi-Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
– 1 jar of your favorite store-bought marinara sauce
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Pour the jar of marinara sauce into the saucepan, and add the dried oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
5. Serve over your favorite cooked pasta and enjoy!

This semi-homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The addition of fresh garlic, onion, and herbs gives the store-bought marinara a homemade taste that will have your family and friends thinking you spent hours slaving over the stove.

So, the next time you’re craving a delicious spaghetti dinner but don’t have the time to make sauce from scratch, give semi-homemade spaghetti sauce a try. It’s the best of both worlds – convenience and flavor.