My Favorite Doctored Jar Spaghetti Sauce

Transform a store-bought jar of spaghetti sauce into a rich, flavorful masterpiece with "My Favorite Doctored Jar Spaghetti Sauce." This quick and easy recipe combines pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create a sauce that tastes homemade. Sautéed onions, garlic, and red bell pepper form a savory base, while ground Italian sausage or beef adds hearty depth. A touch of tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes enhance the jarred sauce, and a sprinkle of sugar balances the flavors perfectly. Simmered to perfection and finished with aromatic fresh basil, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with any pasta and shines with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Ready in under 40 minutes, this is the perfect weeknight dinner hack for busy families craving comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
• 24 ounces jarred spaghetti sauce (your choice)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 0 grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

When the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet, and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Add the ground Italian sausage or ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Once the meat is cooked, reduce the heat to low, and pour in the jarred spaghetti sauce.

Step 6

Stir in the tomato paste, dried Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Mix well to combine.

Step 7

Cover the skillet and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add salt, pepper, or more sugar depending on your preference.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh basil just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 10

Serve the doctored spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta of your choice and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1451.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2205.2

Total Fat 161.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 49.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 321.5mg	0%
Sodium 6104.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 107.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.0g	0%
Total Sugars 63.7g
Protein 86.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 309.4mg	0%
Iron 13.7mg	0%
Potassium 3394.6mg	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: 65.2%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 19.3%