Kick Butt Spaghetti Sauce Out of a Jar

Transform weeknight dinners with this "Kick Butt Spaghetti Sauce Out of a Jar," a robust and flavor-packed recipe that elevates a simple jar of marinara into a restaurant-worthy meal. Featuring sautéed onions, garlic, and a hearty blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, this sauce is simmered with tomato paste, dried herbs, and a touch of crushed red pepper for a perfectly balanced kick. The addition of granulated sugar harmonizes the acidity, while fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese add a final flourish of richness and freshness. Ready in just 35 minutes, this quick and easy spaghetti sauce recipe is ideal for busy nights, delivering bold, homemade flavors with minimal effort. Serve it over your favorite pasta, and watch it become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium (diced) yellow onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 0.5 pounds ground beef
• 0.5 pounds Italian sausage
• 1 24-ounce jar jarred marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (chopped) fresh parsley
• 0.25 cups (grated) Parmesan cheese
• 0 to taste kosher salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook for 8–10 minutes until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the jarred marinara sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Sprinkle in the granulated sugar and stir again to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Step 7

Lower the heat to simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and season with kosher salt and black pepper as needed.

Step 9

Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.

Step 10

Serve hot over your favorite cooked pasta and garnish with additional Parmesan and parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(706.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1704.0

Total Fat 135.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13.9g
Cholesterol 364.2mg	0%
Sodium 2779.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 35.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.3g	0%
Total Sugars 17.7g
Protein 91.9g	0%

Vitamin D 90.7IU	0%
Calcium 362.6mg	0%
Iron 9.7mg	0%
Potassium 1962.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 70.6%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 8.2%