When it comes to cooking, sometimes you just want something quick and easy without sacrificing flavor. This is where semi-homemade recipes come in handy. They allow you to take some pre-made ingredients and add your own personal touch to create a delicious dish.

One such semi-homemade recipe is Quick & Simple Semi Homemade Spaghetti Sauce. This sauce is perfect for those nights when you just don’t have the time or energy to make a sauce from scratch, but still want a flavorful and satisfying meal.

The key to this recipe is starting with a good quality store-bought marinara sauce. Look for a brand that uses high-quality ingredients and has a rich, robust flavor. Then, by adding a few simple ingredients, you can elevate the flavor of the store-bought sauce and make it taste like you spent hours simmering it on the stove.

To make this Quick & Simple Semi Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

– 1 jar (24 oz) of store-bought marinara sauce
– 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil

To start, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for another minute, being careful not to let the garlic burn.

Next, add the jar of marinara sauce to the skillet, along with the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir everything together, reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your liking. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.

Once the sauce is ready, you can use it to top your favorite pasta, whether it’s spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. You can also use it as a pizza sauce, as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, or as a base for a meatball or eggplant parmesan dish.

This Quick & Simple Semi Homemade Spaghetti Sauce is a versatile and flavorful option for those nights when you need a quick and easy meal. By starting with a quality store-bought marinara sauce and adding a few simple ingredients, you can create a homemade sauce that tastes like it took hours to prepare. Give it a try and see just how delicious semi-homemade cooking can be!