Recipes / Stovetop/ Spaghetti with Jarred Sauce

Spaghetti with Jarred Sauce

The simplest pasta dinner there is. Jarred spaghetti sauce means the seasoning is already done for you — just heat, add meat if you have it, and serve.

Time
25 min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
4–6
Stovetop Nut-FreeEgg-FreeDairy-Free

Ingredients 5 items

Equipment

  • Large pot (for pasta)
  • Large skillet or pot (for sauce)
  • Colander or strainer
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Stirring spoon

Allergens: Contains Gluten (pasta). Check spaghetti sauce label for dairy.

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the diced onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
  4. Add the ground beef or turkey. Break it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains, about 5–7 minutes.
  5. Pour in the entire jar of spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine. Let it simmer on low heat for 5–10 minutes while the pasta finishes.
  6. Serve the sauce over the drained pasta. Top with cheese if you have it.
notes & tips
  • No meat? Skip it entirely. The jarred sauce is a complete topping on its own.
  • Vegetarian version: Add a drained can of black beans or kidney beans to the sauce instead of meat for extra protein.
  • Ground turkey works the same as ground beef here. Cook it the same way.
  • Stretch it: This makes great leftovers. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
  • No spaghetti sauce? Use a can of tomato sauce plus a teaspoon of Italian seasoning and a pinch of sugar.